The 2008-2009 season the Institut Geològic de Catalunya has initiated a new period by publishing an Avalanche Bulletin with Icons (ABI) in collaboration with the Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya. The aim of this bulletin is to summarize the contents of the text using icon and pictograms.

The main objective is to provide more comprehensible and visual avalanche information by distributing the contents in a hierarchical way. The icons have been thought as an aid for the end-user so, the information to be understandable and easy to keep in mind. At the same time, the hierarchical structure allows the user to reach more detailed information step by step.

The ABI contents are the following:

• Basic avalanche information for the whole Catalan Pyrenees: General map of the Catalan Pyrenees indicating with icons the avalanche danger level according to the European Avalanche Danger Scale. Furthermore, each nivo-climatological region has a color shape that coincides with the color of the avalanche danger level. By clicking on each region the user can reach the specific information for the zone.

• Separated avalanche information of Western from Eastern Pyrenees (depending on the user's choice): Represents schematically the avalanche danger level with icons and colors.

• Basic avalanche information of the nivo-climatological zones:
  

  • Avalanche danger level

  • Summarized headline of the avalanche situation

  • Snowpack distribution in northern and southern orientation with the continuity and discontinuity of the snowpack as a function of altitude, represented with a pictogram.

• Detailed avalanche information for each nivo-climatological zone:
  

  • Slab and loose snow avalanche danger. In this level the forecasted size of avalanche, its probable localization in orientation and altitude, the triggering overload (low, high) or the natural release (if it is the case), the triggering likelihood and the tendency for the future 48 h, are represented.

  • Wet snow avalanche. In this level, the forecasted size of avalanche, its probable localization in orientation and height, the probable day time of occurrence, and the tendency for the future 48 h, are represented.

• Meteorological forecasting of the Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya for the next 24 h. For each nivoclimatological region the meteorological icons are the following:
  

  • Weather and precipitation forecast

  • Maximum and Minimum temperature tendency

  • Speed and wind direction