Grieskogelgruppe · 18 December 2025

Avalanche Problems

Above 2600 m

Low (1) Dry avalanches · all day

Wind slab Slab 1

N, NE, E, W, NW

above 2600m

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

Fresh wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of the moderate to strong wind, snow drift accumulations formed. This applies especially on shady slopes above approximately 2600 m. The wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering. Mostly avalanches are only small. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines, as well as 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 abrupt changes in the terrain. In isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow. Such Locations delineated by aspect or altitude where avalanches can trigger and people or objects are at risk.EAWS glossary are to be found in particular on extremely steep shady slopes above approximately 2600 m. Mostly avalanches are small. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

19 December 2025

Low avalanche danger will prevail.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

Some snow has fallen over a wide area, in particular above approximately 2000 m. Shady slopes above approximately 2600 m: The mostly small wind slabs are lying on soft layers. 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 deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary. 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 below approximately 2600 m: The snowpack is largely stable and its surface has a Layer of hard-compacted snow resulting from a melt-freeze process or wind.EAWS glossary. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. Less snow than usual is lying in all altitude zones.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

17 Dec 16:00 UTC

Valid until

18 Dec 16:00 UTC

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