Whumpf - a technical term in avalanche science referring to the collapsing failure of a weak layer in the snowpack - most often on flat terrain - that results in a sigh, hiss or "whumpf". The spelling has been roundly debated and alternates: whumph, whomp, wump, wumpf are in use.
Whumpf is the preferred spelling in the Operational Guidelines and Recording Standards for Snow and Avalanche Observations Canadian Avalanche Association, 2007.
Comments by cedarwaxwing99
cedarwaxwing99 commented on the word whumpf
Whumpf - a technical term in avalanche science referring to the collapsing failure of a weak layer in the snowpack - most often on flat terrain - that results in a sigh, hiss or "whumpf". The spelling has been roundly debated and alternates: whumph, whomp, wump, wumpf are in use.
Whumpf is the preferred spelling in the Operational Guidelines and Recording Standards for Snow and Avalanche Observations Canadian Avalanche Association, 2007.
December 16, 2007