Gruppo della Cima San Giacomo · 27 January 2026

Day Risk Profile

Low

below 2200m

Moderate

above 2200m

Avalanche Problems

Above 2200 m

Moderate (2) Dry avalanches · all day

Persistent weak layers Slab 2

N, NE, E, W, NW

above 2200m

Medium Some Poor

GM.5 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

Avalanche Activity

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

The fresh snow and the wind slabs formed during the snowfall 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 on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. Especially here avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow. This applies even in case of a small load. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. The Locations delineated by aspect or altitude where avalanches can trigger and people or objects are at risk.EAWS glossary are covered with new snow and are barely recognisable.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

28 January 2026

The fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

Up to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. As a consequence of new snow and a moderate southerly wind, mostly small wind slabs formed. The fresh and older 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. They are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. 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 old snowpack. The old snowpack consists of Snow grains, solid, with multiple flat glassy faces and sharp edges. Developed from faceting metamorphism, usually poorly bonded to one another (fewer contact points), a critical factor in avalanches if a faceted layer is covered with bonded snow. Typical grain size: 0.5 to 3 mm See also: www.snowcrystals.itEAWS glossary. The Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year in all altitude zones.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

26 Jan 16:00 UTC

Valid until

27 Jan 16:00 UTC

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