Grieskogelgruppe · 21 February 2026

Day Risk Profile

Considerable

below treeline

High

above treeline

Avalanche Problems

Above treeline

High (4) Dry avalanches · all day

Persistent weak layers + New snow Slab 4

N, NE, E, W, NW

above treeline

Large Many Very 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

High (4) Wet avalanches · all day

Wet snow Loose 4

All aspects

below 1800m

Medium 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

A very dangerous avalanche situation will persist.

Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow 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 large quantity of fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs that are being formed by the strong westerly wind are very prone to triggering in 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 above the tree line. Winter sport participants can release avalanches very easily. The Locations delineated by aspect or altitude where avalanches can trigger and people or objects are at risk.EAWS glossary are numerous. They are to be found also in steep terrain in areas close to the tree line, caution is to be exercised below the tree line. More natural avalanches are to be expected. These can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size, in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. Caution is to be exercised in particular in Slope facing downwind/ wind sheltered aspect. Snow deposits can attain several times average snow depth.EAWS glossary starting zones that have retained the snow thus far. In the typical avalanche paths here avalanches can in very isolated cases reach very large size. Exposed transportation routes can be endangered. As a consequence of the rain, the likelihood of natural avalanches being released will increase significantly.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

22 February 2026

The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes remain very dangerous. Avalanches can be released very easily. Natural avalanches are possible.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow, and up to 60 cm in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Saturday, this applies in particular as the day progresses. Up to intermediate altitudes rain will fall. The wind will be strong to storm force in some cases. The Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary will be prone to triggering. Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow are bonding only slowly with the Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary. The various wind slabs have bonded insufficiently with each other and the old snowpack. Avalanche prone 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 snowpack on west, north and east facing slopes. The rain will give rise to softening of the snowpack at low and intermediate altitudes.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

21 Feb 08:41 UTC

Valid until

21 Feb 16:00 UTC

Next update

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Schedule

Off-schedule