In partnership with the National Avalanche Center (NAC) our regional avalanche centers have upgraded this season to the National Avalanche Center Platform (AFP). The system has numerous benefits such as cost-sharing, creating economies of scale, and consistent public messaging, along with other significant benefits that include added efficiencies to forecaster workflow and training and a centralized database of U.S. avalanche forecast data*.
Valdez and Haines have switched to AFP the forecast platform while all regional centers including the Eastern Alaska Range and Cordova use the AFP observation platform. Recent upgrades to the observation platform include entering avalanche occurrence data and a separate tab for visualizing avalanche size, distribution and type. Another beneficial AFP platform tool is the weather station map that allows user to have a consistent look at a local station data as either a table or graph.
For more information on how to use the forecast and tools check out these videos:
- Introduction to the North American Avalanche Danger Scale
- Backcountry Forecasts Explained
- Avalanche Problems Explained
A new standardized look for the Valdez and Haines Avalanche Center pages that include the AFP Forecast Platform, including danger rose, and problem types.
Upgrades to the observation platform include photos in the table, advanced form options, a tab for avalanches and visual tools for viewing avalanche information.
The Weather Station Map is an endless source of weather information and history, with custom date selection, table and graph views.
*Chris Lundy and Simon Trautman ISSW 2023 paper
