Snöras

Snöras is a term found in Nordic hazard literature and regional dictionaries to describe a snow-related mass movement on a slope. The precise meaning varies by source, and there is no single, widely accepted definition. In many regional uses, snöras denotes a rapid, localized release of snow that moves downslope over relatively short distances, typically when wind-loaded or weak layers destabilize near the surface. Other usages describe small-scale slides associated with cornice collapse or slab release in constrained terrain. The term often implies a less energetic event than a full avalanche, but the boundary between snöras and avalanche can be fluid in practice.

Etymology: The word is likely derived from the Swedish snö (snow) and ras (a slide or rush). The form snöras appears primarily in Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian linguistic areas, and it may be found in local guides and hazard reports.

Usage and context: Snöras is most commonly encountered in alpine and subalpine regions of Norway and Sweden, and also appears in Icelandic safety literature. It is not part of the formal international avalanche taxonomy, and definitions vary between agencies and researchers. In risk communications, distinguishing snöras from larger avalanches can help convey expected runout, debris, and hazard scale for mountain travelers.

See also: Avalanche, snowpack, landslide, hazard communication.

References: Availability of standardized definitions is limited; readers should consult regional hazard manuals for local usage.