Karwendel West · 14 February 2026

Day Risk Profile

Low

below treeline

Moderate

above treeline

Avalanche Problems

Above 2200 m

Moderate (2) Dry avalanches · all day

Wind slab Slab 2

All aspects

above 2200m

Small Some Poor

GM.1 GM.8

Field notes

Look for fresh snow deposits on Slope facing downwind/ wind sheltered aspect. Snow deposits can attain several times average snow depth.EAWS glossary, 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, and behind ridgelines and abrupt changes in terrain — these are where the wind has loaded the snow into slabs that are easy to trigger. Recent avalanches, shooting cracks under your weight, and 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 are clear confirmations of the problem. The safest move is to avoid wind-loaded terrain entirely. NB wind signs alone don't always mean an avalanche problem exists, and the age of drifted snow is hard to judge.

Source: SLF Avalanche Bulletin Interpretation Guide

Above treeline

Moderate (2) Dry avalanches · all day

Persistent weak layers Slab 2

N, NE, E, W, NW

above treeline

Medium Some Poor

GM.1 GM.8

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. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Avalanches can in some places be released by a single winter sport participant, especially on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line, and in little used backcountry terrain. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. The Locations delineated by aspect or altitude where avalanches can trigger and people or objects are at risk.EAWS glossary are difficult to recognise. Isolated 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 when stepping on the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary can indicate the danger. As a consequence of the strong westerly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed during the last few days. They are only small but in some cases prone to triggering. This applies in places that are protected from the wind above approximately 2200 m.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

15 February 2026

Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger. <br/> Over a wide area 5 to 15 cm of snow will fall until Sunday. The mostly small wind slabs of the last few days will be covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

The fresh wind slabs are lying on Transparent, frequently flat crystals forming on the snowpack when moist air settles on the surface. It forms most often during cold, clear, humid nights. Once it is blanketed by fresh fallen snow, surface hoar is one of the most critical weak layer. See also: www.snowcrystals.itEAWS glossary in some places above approximately 2200 m. This applies in particular in places that are protected from the wind. The Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary is unfavourably layered. In its middle, the snowpack is weak in some cases. The Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary consists of Snow grains, solid, with multiple flat glassy faces and sharp edges. Developed from faceting metamorphism, usually poorly bonded to one another (fewer contact points), a critical factor in avalanches if a faceted layer is covered with bonded snow. Typical grain size: 0.5 to 3 mm See also: www.snowcrystals.itEAWS glossary. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year in all altitude zones.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

13 Feb 16:00 UTC

Valid until

14 Feb 16:00 UTC

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