Karwendel Ost · 25 March 2026

Avalanche Problems

Above 2000 m

Low (1) Dry avalanches · all day

Wind slab Slab 1

N, NE, NW

above 2000m

Small Few Poor

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

Avalanche Activity

Wind slabs require caution.

The somewhat older wind slabs can be released in isolated cases, especially on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. The Locations delineated by aspect or altitude where avalanches can trigger and people or objects are at risk.EAWS glossary are to be found especially 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. These places are rather rare clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Mostly avalanches are only small. The wind slabs are to be avoided in particular in terrain where there is a danger of falling.

Outlook

Increasing avalanche danger

26 March 2026

Increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs have bonded well with the Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary. They are now only very rarely prone to triggering. In very isolated cases 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 deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary on west, north and east facing slopes. This applies above approximately 2200 m.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

24 Mar 16:00 UTC

Valid until

25 Mar 16:00 UTC

Next update

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