Avalanche by Buddha of blackpool
Are the SAIS's new avalanche reports easier to follow?
By
LFTO News Team
Outdoor headlines
22 December 2009 14:23
The SportScotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) has decided its old info service wasn't clear enough.
So it has just created a new format featuring a colour coded chart so the vital information jumps out from the screen.
Last year the info was given only in word form and the SAIS realised that website users needed to carefully sift through each report to obtain the relevant information.
The SAIS discovered that if the report was complex people would spend less time studying it.
As well as adding the new chart the SAIS has decided to scrap the hazard number ratings, saying this gives a false impression if you don't take the situation on the ground into account.
These have been replaced by hazard levels Low, Moderate, Considerable, High and Very High, which all relate to the probability of an avalanche.
Below the chart is a written forecast with weather influences and a forecast of snow stability in the mountains.
Mountain instructor Roger Chaldecott, who runs Climb-High, says the changes are a great improvement.
"Once you've read the SAIS guidelines the graphics are very easy to follow, yet they also manage to supply more information. I particulary like the way the graphics show the aspects, heights and hazards."
The reports have gone
from this... |
To this... |
 |
 |
Check out the new-look avalanche reports here
Are they easier to follow?
Tell us here
