Gruppo dell'Ortles · 16 December 2025

Avalanche Problems

Above 2600 m

Low (1) Dry avalanches · all day

Persistent weak layers Slab 1

N, NE, NW

above 2600m

Small Few Poor

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

The avalanche prone locations are rare.

In isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow. 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 particular on extremely steep shady slopes above approximately 2600 m. Mostly avalanches are small. As a consequence of the moderate to strong southerly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form. This applies especially on shady slopes in Areas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary. The small wind slabs are clearly recognisable. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

17 December 2025

Low avalanche danger will prevail. <br/> Some snow will fall over a wide area.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

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 below approximately 2600 m: The Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary is largely stable and its surface has a Layer of hard-compacted snow resulting from a melt-freeze process or wind.EAWS glossary. Shady slopes above approximately 2600 m: 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 snowpack. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. Less snow than usual is lying in all altitude zones.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

15 Dec 16:00 UTC

Valid until

16 Dec 16:00 UTC

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