NOT listed as a predictor of avalanches?

• A. Dry spell with no thaw
• B. Recent avalanches
• C. Rapid thaw
• D. Collapsing and cracking

Answer: (A)

Avalanche risk is driven by instability in the snowpack, which shows up through dynamic conditions and warning signs. Rapid thaw injects water and heat that weaken layers and promote slab releases, making an avalanche more likely. Collapsing and cracking are direct signs that the snowpack is stressed and prone to failure under load. Recent avalanches indicate that the conditions have already produced instability that could continue to trigger new slides. By contrast, a dry spell with no thaw doesn’t add energy or weakness to the snowpack—without warming, melting, or loading, there’s no new factor driving instability, so it isn’t considered a predictor of imminent avalanches.