Sponsored by wyssen
Avalanche.org Avalanche.org
  • Conditions
    • National Danger Map
    • U.S. Avalanche Centers
  • Education
    • Basics
    • Tutorial
    • Courses
    • Find a Course
    • Encyclopedia
    • Tech Paper Library
  • Accidents
    • U.S. Accident Reports
    • Report an Accident
  • About
    • About Avalanche.org
    • Sponsors
    • American Avalanche Association
    • National Avalanche Center

Avalanche Size

The magnitude of an avalanche.

Credit: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche sizes vary depending on snowpack conditions and terrain. Expected avalanche size should inform your travel decisions. Avalanches are sized based on their destructive potential and relative size within a given avalanche path.

Read More:
Destructive Force (D Scale)
Relative Size (R Scale)
Small (D1)
Large (D2)
Very Large (D3)
Historic (D4 & D5)
Back to Encyclopedia

About

  • American Avalanche Association
  • National Avalanche Center
  • Contact Us
  • Purpose & Liability Statement
  • Become a Sponsor

Education

  • Avalanche Course Progression
  • Find a Course Near You
  • Get Listed as a Course Provider
  • Avalanche Encyclopedia
  • Avalanche Safety Tutorial

Accidents

  • U.S. Accident Database
  • Avalanche Statistics
  • Report an Avalanche Accident

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
All Content © 2017 – 2025 Avalanche.org