Forest Service National Avalanche Center Avalanches involving people do not happen by accident. Three variables interact to determine whether an avalanche is possible.
Weather is another important variable.
Changing weather can quickly increase instability. But many of us love to go into the backcountry to ski, snowboard, snowshoe or snowmobile. And our very presence is what often upsets the delicate balance within the snowpack between stress and strength and causes an avalanche. 594 total hits since Monday June 11. 1 hit today.