Jökull - 01.12.2006, Page 21

Avalanches in coastal towns in Iceland
Figure A7 and Table 11: Avalanche weather and paths in Hnífsdalur, N-Vestfirðir. – Yfirlit yfir snjóflóð, rým-
ingarsvæði og snjóflóðaveður í Hnífsdal.
Evacuation areas Avalanche weather and wind directions for
snowdrift accumulation
Avalanche paths and notification
Snowdrift accumulation in winds from SE, NW-NE
Hnífsdalur, S
(Bakkahyrna)
Snow accumulation in strong winds from SE,
when snow is transported from Eyrarhlíð over
the mountain shoulder. Snow accumulation is
not anticipated during SW-winds.
Avalanche paths on an open, flat mountainside.
Evacuation level 2.
Hnífsdalur, N
(Búðarfjall -
Búðarhyrna)
Snow accumulation from the mountain top in
winds from NW-N from Seljadalur. The gul-
lies get filled from the side in winds from NE,
when snow accumulates in the lower parts of
the gullies. Large avalanches seem to be as-
sociated with snow accumulating in the upper
parts of the gullies.
The paths are mostly defined to three gul-
lies: Búðargil, Traðargil, Hraunsgil. Perma-
nent homes have been moved as winter resi-
dence is prohibited. Evacuation 1997, levels
1-3. At present evacuation levels 2-3.
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