Gruppo della Cima San Giacomo · 19 March 2026

Day Risk Profile

Low

below 2200m

Moderate

above 2200m

Avalanche Problems

Above 2200 m

Moderate (2) Dry avalanches · all day

Wind slab + Persistent weak layers Slab 2

N, NE, E, W, NW

above 2200m

Medium Some Poor

GM.6 GM.7

Field notes

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.

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.

Source: SLF Avalanche Bulletin Interpretation Guide

Avalanche Activity

Fresh wind slabs require caution. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

Fresh and older wind slabs can still be released in particular on west to north to east facing 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 approximately 2200 m. This applies even in case of a single winter sport participant in some cases. Such Locations delineated by aspect or altitude where avalanches can trigger and people or objects are at risk.EAWS glossary are to be found 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. Avalanches can in isolated cases be triggered in near-ground layers and reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. Such avalanche prone locations are rare but are barely recognisable. As a consequence of solar radiation moist loose snow avalanches are possible, but they will be mostly small.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

20 March 2026

The weather conditions will facilitate a gradual stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

As a consequence of a strong wind from variable directions, wind slabs formed. These are lying on the unfavourable surface of an Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary above approximately 2200 m. 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 Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary on west, north and east facing slopes. This applies in particular above approximately 2200 m. Steep sunny slopes: Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise to increasing moistening of the snowpack.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

18 Mar 16:00 UTC

Valid until

19 Mar 16:00 UTC

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