Grieskogelgruppe · 23 February 2026

Day Risk Profile

Considerable

below treeline

High

above treeline

Avalanche Problems

Above treeline

High (4) Dry avalanches · all day

Persistent weak layers Slab 4

N, NE, E, W, NW

above treeline

Large Many Poor

GM.1 GM.6

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 1800 m

High (4) Wet avalanches · all day

Wet snow Loose 4

All aspects

below 1800m

Medium Few 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

All elevations

High (4) Dry avalanches · all day

New snow Slab 4

All aspects

Medium Some Poor

GM.1 GM.6

Field notes

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

Avalanche Activity

For those venturing off piste a dangerous avalanche situation will persist.

Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow 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 and the wind slabs formed by the strong to storm force westerly wind remain 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. Winter sport participants can release avalanches easily. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size, in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. 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 the regions exposed to heavier precipitation numerous avalanches were reported. Very isolated natural avalanches are further not entirely ruled out. In addition many small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized wet and gliding avalanches are possible. This applies especially on cut and grassy slopes below approximately 1800 m.

Outlook

Decreasing avalanche danger

24 February 2026

Gradual decrease in avalanche danger.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

40 to 80 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last few days. Up to intermediate altitudes rain has fallen. Some snow will fall. The wind will be strong for a temporary period. 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 gave rise to softening of the snowpack at low and intermediate altitudes.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

22 Feb 16:00 UTC

Valid until

23 Feb 16:00 UTC

Next update

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