Karwendel West · 15 January 2026

Day Risk Profile

Low

below 2000m

Considerable

above 2000m

Avalanche Problems

Above 2000 m

Considerable (3) Dry avalanches · all day

Persistent weak layers Slab 3

All aspects

above 2000m

Medium Many Poor

GM.5 GM.6

Field notes

Persistent Snowpack layer in which the crystals are poorly bonded and the layer has the potential to fail. Typical crystals in dry weak layers causing avalanches are : precipitation particles; surface hoar; faceted crystals; hollow crystals; graupel. Generally >1mm in size, loose grains with few bonds Wet weak layers can be formed by all snow crystal/grain types.EAWS glossary are very challenging to recognise. Distinctive noise (resembling a “whumpf” sound) occurring when a weak layer beneath a slab collapses. The air of the weak layer is forced outside the snowpack, with the resulting whumpf sound being heard. The sound usually indicates an unstable situation and can be accompanied by surface cracking. A whumpf is a clear avalanche alert.EAWS glossary sounds and shooting cracks are typical when present, but you can have a serious weak layer with no warning signs at the surface. Knowledge of how the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary has evolved is essential. SLF's travel advice is direct: travel conservatively, avoid terrain where the consequences of being caught are large, and treat the history of weather and snow as more important than what you can see today. Read the full bulletin.

Source: SLF Avalanche Bulletin Interpretation Guide

Avalanche Activity

Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger.

Snowpack layer in which the crystals are poorly bonded and the layer has the potential to fail. Typical crystals in dry weak layers causing avalanches are : precipitation particles; surface hoar; faceted crystals; hollow crystals; graupel. Generally >1mm in size, loose grains with few bonds Wet weak layers can be formed by all snow crystal/grain types.EAWS glossary in the upper part of the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary can be released over a wide area easily by individual winter sport participants. The Locations delineated by aspect or altitude where avalanches can trigger and people or objects are at risk.EAWS glossary are to be found in all Direction in which a slope faces as indicated by compass direction of the fall line; i.e. a north slope faces in a northerly direction.EAWS glossary above approximately 2000 m. Such avalanche prone locations are numerous but are difficult to recognise. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in Usually a steep, elongated, eroded trench; typically prone to snowdrift accumulation.EAWS glossary and Rounded or elongated concavity; typically tending to accumulate snowdrift.EAWS glossary. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Distinctive noise (resembling a “whumpf” sound) occurring when a weak layer beneath a slab collapses. The air of the weak layer is forced outside the snowpack, with the resulting whumpf sound being heard. The sound usually indicates an unstable situation and can be accompanied by surface cracking. A whumpf is a clear avalanche alert.EAWS glossary sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Defensive route selection is recommended.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

16 January 2026

The avalanche danger will persist.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

The Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary is faceted. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack. The various wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

14 Jan 16:00 UTC

Valid until

15 Jan 16:00 UTC

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