Fatal avalanche accidents in Switzerland since 1936/37

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This data collection contains information concerning all known accidents by snow avalanches in Switzerland with at least one fatality. The data set commences on 01/10/1936. After the completion of a hydrological year, the new data is added.

The following information is provided:

• avalanche identifier
• date of the accident
• accuracy of the date in range of days before and after
• hydrological year (always from first of october to end of september)
• canton
• municipality
• start zone point latitude
• start zone point longitude
• start zone point accuracy (in meters)
• start zone point elevation (in meteres above sea level)
• slope aspect (main orientation of start zone)
• slope inclination (in degree, steepest point within start zone)
• forecasted avalanche danger level 1 (first danger)
• forecasted avalanche danger level 2 (second danger)
• accident within the core zone (most dangerous aspect and elevation as mentioned in the forecast)
• number of dead persons
• number of caught persons
• number of fully buried persons
• activity/location of the accident party at the time of the incident

• SLF

WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF (2023). Avalanche accidents in Switzerland since 1970/71. EnviDat. doi:10.16904/envidat.411.