Data Analytics and Software to Support Avalanche Forecasting Decisions
When:
- Thursday, April 1, 2021 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Where:
- https://montana-student.webex.com/meet/peter.k.ottsen
Description:
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Avalanches are a very powerful force of nature and pose significant risk for ski areas and mountainous roads. Avalanche forecasting and mitigation are critical components of keeping the public safe. Terrestrial laser scanning lidar systems have proven useful in more accurate forecasting and mitigation efforts, but utilizing them can be time consuming and challenging. This paper introduces an operational workflow, algorithms, and a software package that can rapidly analyze mountainous terrain and extract important avalanche related snow metrics. The workflow and algorithms were parameterized and validated with a field data collection effort at three locations in Montana using a Riegel VZ-6000 lidar system. The ultimate goal is to provide user-friendly software to help inform avalanche forecasters' decisions on where to focus mitigation efforts
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