Snow Pits
Snow pits are the way that most researchers predict avalanches. These pits are usually on slopes that have the most avalanches. Scientists dig these square pits about 5 - 8 feet under the surface. The pits help predict if that slope will have an avalanche based on the stability of the snow layers. When the pit is dug the scientists can use a paintbrush to tell if a layer is more or less stable. If the higher layers are more brittle, the slope is more prone to an avalanche. This device is being used by almost all scientist that predict these monstrous slides. All though these pits can predict if an avalanche will happen they cannot say when they will happen. This is because you never know when someone will hit the trigger for the avalanche. Once the researchers retrieve the data they log patterns they see so they can better say when it will happen. When they get word of when the avalanche will happen they will send out alerts for avalanche warning. Here in Washington, the NWAC (Northwest Avalanche Center) is currently the biggest organization based in the northwest for avalanche research and safety. They use snow pits and satellites to gather info about mountainous areas of Washington, currently, Stevens pass has the highest risk for an avalanche. Scientists say that avalanche prediction will move far ahead in the future. Some say they are work on a machine that tracks the snow and says exactly when the avalanche will happen.