The EAWS matrix, a decision support tool to determine the regional avalanche danger level (Part A): conceptual development

Müller, Karsten; Techel, Frank; Mitterer, Christoph

doi:10.5194/nhess-25-4503-2025

Articles | Volume 25, issue 11

https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-4503-2025

© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Special issue:

Latest developments in snow science and avalanche risk management...

https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-4503-2025

© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 25, issue 11

Research article

|

13 Nov 2025

Research article |

| 13 Nov 2025

The EAWS matrix, a decision support tool to determine the regional avalanche danger level (Part A): conceptual development

Karsten Müller, Frank Techel, and Christoph Mitterer

Data sets

Data for publication: The EAWS matrix, a decision support tool to determine the regional avalanche danger level (Part A): Conceptual development, Natural Hazards Earth System Sciences F. Techel et al. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17086424

Short summary

This paper presents the updated EAWS (European Avalanche Warning Services) Matrix, developed to support consistent avalanche danger assessments across Europe. It links snowpack stability, its frequency, and avalanche size to the five danger levels. Based on expert surveys and operational testing, the Matrix supports expert judgment and aligns with the Conceptual Model of Avalanche Hazard while addressing known ambiguities in practice.