Val d'Ultimo · 18 January 2026

Avalanche Problems

Above 2200 m

Low (1) Dry avalanches · all day

Wind slab Slab 1

N, NE, NW

above 2200m

Small Few Poor

Field notes

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

Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Wind slabs require caution.

Wind slabs can in isolated cases be released. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep shady slopes, as well as adjacent to ridgelines and 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 above approximately 2200 m. Mostly avalanches are small. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

19 January 2026

Low avalanche danger will prevail.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

The wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers at elevated altitudes. The Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary 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

17 Jan 16:00 UTC

Valid until

18 Jan 16:00 UTC

Next update

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