Karwendel West · 21 April 2026

Avalanche Problems

Above 2500 m

Moderate (2) Dry avalanches · all day

Persistent weak layers Slab 2

N, NE, NW

above 2500m

Large Few Poor

GM.10 GM.1

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

Below 2500 m

Moderate (2) Wet avalanches · all day

Wet snow Slab 2

N, NE, E, W, NW

below 2500m

Large Few Poor

GM.10 GM.1

Field notes

Rolling snowballs, deep penetration when you step or ski, and small natural slides are clear signals that the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary is losing strength. After a clear, cold night the surface often freezes into a strong supporting Layer of hard-compacted snow resulting from a melt-freeze process or wind.EAWS glossary, and conditions are favourable in the early morning. After a warm, overcast night, the problem may be present from the start of the day. Plan early returns and watch the runout zones below you.

Source: SLF Avalanche Bulletin Interpretation Guide

Avalanche Activity

Weakly bonded old snow and wet snow require caution.

Slight increase in danger of wet avalanches as a consequence of warming during the day. Wet avalanches can in isolated cases be released by a single winter sport participant. In very isolated cases these can release the weakly bonded old snow as well and reach large size. This applies on very steep shady slopes below approximately 2500 m. Dry avalanches can additionally be released, even by small loads in isolated cases, especially on very steep northwest, north and northeast facing slopes above approximately 2500 m. Especially transitions from a shallow to a deep Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary are unfavourable. The Locations delineated by aspect or altitude where avalanches can trigger and people or objects are at risk.EAWS glossary are difficult to recognise.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

22 April 2026

Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be quite good. The danger of wet avalanches will increase a little during the day.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

In some regions up to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last few days. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be reduced in some case. The surface of the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary will freeze very little. The snowpack is moist, in particular on sunny slopes in all altitude zones, as well as on west, north and east facing slopes below approximately 2500 m. Steep west, north and east facing slopes: Faceted 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 exist in the bottom section of the Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary at elevated altitudes.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

21 Apr 06:00 UTC

Valid until

21 Apr 15:00 UTC

Next update

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Schedule

Off-schedule