Which describes unfavorable weather conditions for avalanche risk?

• A. High wind (10-50 mph); Very cold temps; Bad snowpack; Rapid accumulation
• B. Light wind; Mild temps; Stable snowpack
• C. No wind; Above freezing
• D. Calm, dry snow

Answer: (A)

Unfavorable avalanche weather comes from conditions that add load to the snowpack while promoting weakness and potential release. High wind moves and deposits snow into slabs, creating unstable layers on top of older snow. Very cold temperatures drive strong temperature gradients, which encourage faceting and the development of persistent weak layers beneath the surface. Rapid accumulation adds weight quickly, increasing the stress on those weak layers and making avalanches more likely. The combination of strong wind, very cold temps, a compromised snowpack, and rapid snowfall best describes a scenario with elevated avalanche risk. The other options describe calmer or more stable conditions, which are less hazardous in terms of avalanche potential.