Loose snow avalanche

Loose snow avalanches (figure 1) normally involve only the upper part of the snow cover and are generally less dangerous than slab avalanches. They widen from the trigger point and carry more and more snow with them as they descend. Soft snow avalanches often start during or just after a snowfall, or when the weather is very warm. With powdery snow, an inclination of at least 40° is usually required at the trigger point.