Alta Val Passiria · 20 February 2026

Day Risk Profile

Moderate

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

All elevations

High (4) Dry avalanches · all day

New snow Loose 4

All aspects

Medium Few Very poor

GM.1 GM.6

Field notes

Source: SLF Avalanche Bulletin Interpretation Guide

Avalanche Activity

A very dangerous avalanche situation will prevail. The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain.

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. Such Locations delineated by aspect or altitude where avalanches can trigger and people or objects are at risk.EAWS glossary are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. As a consequence of new snow and wind natural avalanches are to be expected until late in the night. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size. This applies on west, north and east facing slopes. With the end of the snowfall, the natural avalanche activity will slowly decrease. In particular in the regions exposed to the foehn wind more natural avalanches are possible as a consequence of the strong to storm force northwesterly wind. 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.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

21 February 2026

Some snow will fall in some regions. The rain will give rise to softening of the snowpack at low and intermediate altitudes. As a consequence of a sometimes storm force wind from westerly directions, further wind slabs will form on Saturday. <br/> The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes remain very dangerous. Avalanches can be released very easily. More natural avalanches are possible.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

In some regions 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall until late morning. The wind will be moderate to strong. The wind will be storm force at times in particular in the Southern Zillertal Alps and High Tauern and along the border with South Tyrol. The wind will transport the new 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

20 Feb 06:40 UTC

Valid until

20 Feb 16:00 UTC

Next update

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Schedule

Off-schedule