(Entry 1 of 2) 1 : a large mass of snow, ice, earth, rock, or other material in swift motion down a mountainside or over a precipice. 2 : a sudden great or overwhelming rush or accumulation of something hit by an avalanche of paperwork.

What does the name avalanche mean?

"fall or slide of a mass of snow on a mountain slope," 1763, from French avalanche (17c.), from Romansch (Swiss) avalantze "descent," altered (by metathesis of -l- and -v-, probably influenced by Old French avaler "to descend, go down," avalage "descent, waterfall, avalanche") from Savoy dialect lavantse, from ...

Is an avalanche just snow?

An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a hill or mountainside. Although avalanches can occur on any slope given the right conditions, certain times of the year and certain locations are naturally more dangerous than others. Wintertime, particularly from December to April, is when most avalanches tend to happen.