Kaisergebirge - Waidringer Alpen · 23 February 2026

Day Risk Profile

Moderate

below treeline

Considerable

above treeline

Avalanche Problems

Above treeline

Considerable (3) Dry avalanches · all day

Persistent weak layers + New snow Slab 3

N, NE, E, W, NW

above treeline

Large Some Poor

GM.1 GM.6

Field notes

Persistent weak layers

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.

New snow

Easy to spot - the snow is fresh. Look at recent avalanche activity in similar terrain, and pay attention to how much new snow has fallen in the last three days. Critical loading depends on temperature, wind, and what was on the surface before the storm. SLF advises waiting until the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary has had time to bond before committing to steep terrain in fresh snow.

Source: SLF Avalanche Bulletin Interpretation Guide

Below 1800 m

Considerable (3) Wet avalanches · all day

Wet snow Loose 3

All aspects

below 1800m

Small Some Very poor

GM.1 GM.6

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

New snow and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are lying on top of a weakly bonded Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary. The fresh snow of Saturday and the wind slabs formed by the strong to storm force westerly wind remain prone to triggering on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. The Locations delineated by aspect or altitude where avalanches can trigger and people or objects are at risk.EAWS glossary are numerous, especially in areas close to the tree line, as well as above the tree line. In addition individual wet and gliding avalanches are possible. This applies especially on cut and grassy slopes below approximately 1800 m.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

24 February 2026

The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes remain dangerous.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

Some snow will fall. The wind will be strong in some cases. The wind will transport the snow. Further wind slabs will form. The Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary will be prone to triggering over a wide area. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary. Somewhat older 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. Distinct 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 old snowpack. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

22 Feb 16:00 UTC

Valid until

23 Feb 16:00 UTC

Next update

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