Val d'Ultimo · 19 April 2026

Day Risk Profile

Moderate

Earlier

Considerable

below 3000m

Later

Moderate

above 3000m

Later

Avalanche Problems

Above 2500 m

Moderate (2) Dry avalanches, earlier

Persistent weak layers Slab 2

N, NE, NW

above 2500m

Large Few Fair

GM.10 GM.1

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

Considerable (3) Dry avalanches, later

Persistent weak layers Slab 3

N, NE, NW

above 2500m

Large Few Poor

GM.10 GM.1

Field notes

Source: SLF Avalanche Bulletin Interpretation Guide

Below 3000 m

Considerable (3) Wet avalanches, later

Wet snow Slab 3

All aspects

below 3000m

Medium Few Very poor

GM.10 GM.1

Field notes

Rolling snowballs, deep penetration when you step or ski, and small natural slides are clear signals that the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary is losing strength. After a clear, cold night the surface often freezes into a strong supporting Layer of hard-compacted snow resulting from a melt-freeze process or wind.EAWS glossary, and conditions are favourable in the early morning. After a warm, overcast night, the problem may be present from the start of the day. Plan early returns and watch the runout zones below you.

Source: SLF Avalanche Bulletin Interpretation Guide

Below 2500 m

Moderate (2) Wet avalanches, earlier

Wet snow Slab 2

All aspects

below 2500m

Medium Few Poor

GM.10 GM.1

Field notes

Source: SLF Avalanche Bulletin Interpretation Guide

Avalanche Activity

Increase in danger of wet avalanches in the course of the day.

From late morning the likelihood of wet avalanches being released will increase. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation wet loose snow avalanches are possible, especially in case of releases originating from very steep starting zones that still retain some snow. As the penetration by moisture increases wet The abrupt release of a slab of snow on a mountain slope. After crack initiation and crack propagation in a weak layer the released slab comprises 3 elements: The weak layer, the gliding horizon and the slab. If the slope angle is steep enough, the slab will glide down. If the slope is not steep enough, the slab will settle down on the failed weak layer. Possibly a whumpf sound will follow due to air pressed out of the weak layer. The fracture line will be sharp edged.EAWS glossary are possible as the day progresses, in particular medium-sized ones. This applies especially in case of releases originating from shady starting zones, but in isolated cases also in case of releases originating from high-altitude sunny starting zones that have retained the snow thus far. Individual Locations delineated by aspect or altitude where avalanches can trigger and people or objects are at risk.EAWS glossary for dry avalanches are to be found on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2500 m. Especially transitions from a shallow to a deep Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary are unfavourable. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

20 April 2026

In some regions up to 10 cm of snow will fall. This applies in particular at elevated altitudes in the Venediger Range and in the Glockner Range.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

Up to 2600 m rain will fall from midday in some regions. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be quite good at times. The surface of the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary will soften quickly. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise to rapid and thorough wetting of the snowpack below approximately 3000 m. West, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2500 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 Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary at elevated altitudes.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

18 Apr 15:00 UTC

Valid until

19 Apr 15:00 UTC

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