Stubaier Alpen Mitte · 16 February 2026

Day Risk Profile

Low

below treeline

Considerable

above treeline

Avalanche Problems

Above treeline

Considerable (3) Dry avalanches · all day

Persistent weak layers + Wind slab Slab 3

N, NE, E, W, NW

above treeline

Large Some Very poor

GM.1 GM.8

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.

Wind slab

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

The off-piste conditions are dangerous. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are being formed by the strong westerly wind can be released very easily. The 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 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 above the tree line. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. In some places avalanches can also penetrate near-ground layers of the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary and reach large size in isolated cases, in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. These places are difficult 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 the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and fresh avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. As a consequence of the snowfall the avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent as the day progresses. Individual natural avalanches are to be expected. At low and intermediate altitudes small wet loose snow slides are to be expected as a consequence of the rain, in particular on cut slopes, and on very steep grassy slopes.

Outlook

Increasing avalanche danger

17 February 2026

Further increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind. <br/> Weak layers in the old snowpack represent the main danger. Natural avalanches are to be expected.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

Over a wide area 15 to 25 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Monday. As a consequence of a strong wind from northwesterly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs will form. 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 in some places. The fresh snow and the wind slabs will be deposited on a weakly bonded Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. 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. Stability tests and reports filed by observers confirm the existence of a weak snowack.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

16 Feb 07:00 UTC

Valid until

16 Feb 16:00 UTC

Next update

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Schedule

Off-schedule