TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

WHUMPF [3 records]

Filter results by subject field Alphabetical list of terms

Filter results by subject field

Alphabetical list of terms

Record 1 2009-01-09

English

Subject field(s)
  • Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
DEF

... the slow deformation of the snow as it becomes denser and sags under the influence of gravity.

CONT

Settlement of alpine snow ... Under the action of gravity, the weight of the snow presses on the individual grains below, causing settlement and generally resulting in densification and strengthening.

CONT

Settlement in the surface layers is improving the bond between layers. [Example approved by the Avalanche Bulletin Terminology Standardization Committee.]

OBS

Do not confuse with whumpf [which is the sound made by a collapsing snowpack due to an overload]. Settlement is a gradual process.

OBS

settlement: term officially approved by the Avalanche Bulletin Terminology Standardization Committee.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
DEF

Diminution de l'épaisseur du manteau neigeux principalement en raison de la métamorphose de faible gradient.

OBS

Il en résulte : augmentation de la densité et de la résistance de la neige.

CONT

[...] plus l'intensité [de la chute de neige] diminue, plus la métamorphose et le tassement du manteau (donc sa consolidation) ont le temps de se réaliser; le risque [d'avalanche] s'en trouve alors diminué à terme plus ou moins long.

CONT

Le tassement des couches de surface améliore les liaisons entre les couches. [Exemple entériné par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie des bulletins d'avalanche.]

OBS

tassement : terme uniformisé par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie des bulletins d'avalanche.

Spanish

Save record 1

Record 2 2006-12-14

English

Subject field(s)
  • Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
DEF

The spreading of a fracture within a weak layer or slab.

CONT

Fracture propagation... is indicated by the sudden subsidence of the snowpack due to shear fracture which takes place when weight is added to it. It is often accompanied by a whumpf sound as air within the snowpack is compressed. It is a very sensitive indicator of the presence of weak layers and high snowpack instability. It often occurs when the snowpack contains layers of large grains within generally cold snow.

CONT

Fracture propagations of many hundreds of metres were observed. [Example approved by the Avalanche Bulletin Terminology Standardization Committee.]

OBS

Fracture propagation may result in secondary or sympathetic release of avalanches within adjacent terrain.

OBS

fracture propagation: term officially approved by the Avalanche Bulletin Terminology Standardization Committee.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
CONT

On a noté d'importantes propagations de fracture sur plusieurs centaines de mètres. [Exemple entériné par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie des bulletins d'avalanche.]

OBS

propagation de fracture : terme uniformisé par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie des bulletins d'avalanche.

Spanish

Save record 2

Record 3 2006-08-30

English

Subject field(s)
  • Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
DEF

The sound (air expulsion) of a collapsing snowpack due to an overload.

CONT

Several whumpfs occurred on that slope. [Example approved by the Avalanche Bulletin Terminology Standardization Committee.]

OBS

Although the spelling "whumph" is correct, it is not the preferred spelling in the avalanche world. The spellings "wumph", "wump" and "whump" are used but they are not considered correct.

OBS

The term "settlement"(in the context of a sudden collapse in the snowpack while travelling over it) is sometimes incorrectly used as synonym for "whumpf".

OBS

whumpf : term officially approved by the Avalanche Bulletin Terminology Standardization Committee.

Key term(s)
  • wumph
  • wump
  • whump
  • whumph

French

Domaine(s)
  • Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
DEF

Bruit causé par l'expulsion de l'air qui se produit lorsque, sous le poids d'une surcharge, une couche de neige s'effondre brusquement.

CONT

Plusieurs whoumfs se sont produits dans cette pente. [Exemple entériné par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie des bulletins d'avalanche.]

OBS

Pour éviter toute confusion, éviter les graphies «whumpf», «whump» et «whoumpf».

OBS

whoumf : terme uniformisé par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie des bulletins d'avalanche.

Key term(s)
  • whumpf
  • whump
  • whoumpf

Spanish

Save record 3

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