Winter Hazards – Be Prepared

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Winter storms are the most life-threatening of any natural hazard Montanans
face. Accurate statistics on winter related deaths are hard to tally,
however Montana has one of the highest cold weather related death
counts in the nation. Numerous people succumb to hypothermia due to
extended exposure to the cold, traffic accidents on icy, snow covered
roads, heart attacks from overexertion and avalanche activity.

Montana – “The Last Best Place? is a land of contrasts. We are
blessed with high mountain ranges and deep fertile valleys, singing
mountain brooks and raging rivers. The weather is, however, one of our
biggest contrasts.

Our seasons are dramatic. Gentle green days of spring, blazing heat
of a summer sun, crisp clear days of autumn and then the cold. The gray
days of sub-zero temperatures are our greatest challenge.

Winter storms are the most life-threatening of any natural hazard
Montanans face. Accurate statistics on winter related deaths are hard
to tally, however Montana has one of the highest cold weather related
death counts in the nation. Numerous people succumb to hypothermia due
to extended exposure to the cold, traffic accidents on icy, snow
covered roads, heart attacks from overexertion and avalanche activity.

Most residents of Montana prepare for winter. We celebrate winter.
Montana is a sportsman’s paradise and for those who can’t wait to go
snowmobiling, skiing or ice fishing, winter is an anticipated event. We
know the snow is coming, the wind will blow and temperatures will
plummet. It’s just a matter of how cold it will get and how much snow
will accumulate.

In preparation for winter, supplies are laid in, firewood cut and
equipment and vehicles winterized. Old Man Winter, bring it on! We are
ready! Or so we would like to think.

Life threatening problems tend to develop during record snowfalls or
during periods of deep cold. During a heavy, rapid snowfall the snow
plows and sand trucks are overwhelmed and most roads become impassable.
Ice storms or heavy wet snow brings down trees and power lines, roofs
collapse under the snow load and water pipes freeze. Prolonged frigid
temperatures, especially when accompanied by fierce, bitter winds,
create dangerous situations for people stranded outdoors or those
without heat, as when the power lines are down or the propane truck
can’t navigate the roads. Due to the remote locations where power lines
often go down, power outages of several days are not uncommon.

Avalanches are significant hazards . Avalanches happen in a split
second, advancing with the force and speed of a freight train and can
often pose a serious threat to winter travelers and recreational users
of the back country. It is impossible for a skier or snowmobiler to
outrun an avalanche. An avalanche can move at speeds up to 200 miles an
hour.

There are two types of avalanches. A loose snow avalanche starts
over a small area and grows in size as it crashes down the mountain
face. Slab avalanches begin when a large mass of snow begins to slide
at once. There will be a clearly marked fracture line where the snow
mass breaks away. Slab avalanches are the most dangerous as they often
contain boulders and huge blocks of snow and ice. Slab avalanches are a
threat to snowmobilers and skiers. Unfortunately slab avalanches are
most often triggered by the victims themselves.

The State of Montana Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan and Statewide Hazard Assessment – October 2004, describes an avalanche:

“A mass of loosened snow, ice, and/or earth suddenly and swiftly
sliding down a mountain. In practice, assumed to be a snow avalanche
unless another term such as ice, rock, mud, etc is used. Synonymous
with “snow slide”.

Avalanches occur throughout the mountains of Montana and, to a
limited extent, elsewhere in the state. Avalanche hazards most directly
threaten winter recreationists, homes and businesses in mountainous
regions, and communication and transportation networks. Two of
Montana’s ski areas, Bridger Bowl and Big Sky, are respectively the
second and fourth most avalanche-prone ski resorts in the entire United
States.

Of the major avalanche hazards, the interruption of communications
lines probably occurs most frequently. Places of highest hazard include
ski areas, mountain passes and other areas where transmission lines
cross avalanche paths. In regions where important highways or railroads
cross areas subject to frequent snow slides, losses resulting from
blocked roads, buried railroad tracks and destroyed bridges can reach
into the millions of dollars.

The complex interaction of weather and terrain factors contributes
to the location, size and timing of avalanches. In the absence of
detailed scientific observation, any accumulation of snow on a slope
steeper than 20 degrees should be considered a potential avalanche
hazard.

The most certain sign of avalanche hazard is avalanche activity.
Usually when one slope is hazardous, many of the nearby slopes are also
hazardous. The historical record shows numerous cases where rescue
parties searching for avalanche victims themselves become victims of
the same avalanche cycle.

Knowledge and experience save lives. If you are ever caught in an avalanche there are some important things to try to remember:

1. Immediately call out. If you have an emergency whistle, use it.
2. If you are snowmobiling, discard all equipment and move away from your snowmobile.
3. Make swimming motions.
4. Attempt to stay on top of the snow flow and work your way to the side.
5. Before you come to a stop , put your hands in front of your face and try to make an air pocket.
6. Remain calm to conserve oxygen.

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