he probability of an avalanche occurring on any given slope is heavily affected by weather. Review the weather factors associated with avalanches below: Heavy wind, rain or snowfall Rapid changes in temperature, heating of the snow surface, temperatures fluctuating around freezing Increased wind speed that erodes loose snow from windward slopes, breaking down the crystalline structure of the snow into granules, and densely packing these on the leeward slope Cold temperatures resulting in brittle snow Cold air over a thin snowpack creating the conditions for surface and depth hoar Snowfall over surface hoar