Finding the Goldilocks Zone for Uncertainty in the Avalanche Forecast

The avalanche forecast is shot through with uncertainty. The variables of terrain, snow, and weather, dispersed across vast areas, are simply too numerous to fully account for. If that's the case, if there's just a lot we don't know, then how much should uncertainty be foregrounded in the forecast? And would expressing uncertainty impair your operation's reputation with backcountry users? Eeva Latosuo, an associate professor of Outdoor Studies at Alaska Pacific University, and Brian Lazar, deputy director of CAIC, join us to discuss the work they've done studying what forecasters don't know and how they can communicate that to an audience.

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Finding the Goldilocks Zone for Uncertainty in the Avalanche Forecast is an episode from Utah Avalanche Center Podcast by Utah Avalanche Center.

This episode is 01:00:43 long.

This episode was published on Feb 10, 2026.

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