Paganella · 13 March 2026

Avalanche Problems

Above treeline

Low (1) Dry avalanches · all day

Persistent weak layers Slab 1

N, NE, NW

above treeline

Medium Fair

GM.1 GM.10

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

Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in isolated cases. The danger of moist and wet avalanches will increase during the day.

Avalanches can in isolated cases be released in the Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary and reach medium size in isolated cases on northwest, north and northeast facing slopes. They can be released, even by a single winter sport participant. In the late morning the likelihood of 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 being released will increase in particular on steep southeast and southwest facing slopes below approximately 2400 m. As a consequence of warming during the day individual mostly small wet loose snow avalanches are possible.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

14 March 2026

Over a wide area 5 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall from late morning above approximately 1600 m. The avalanche danger will increase a little during the day.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

Outgoing longwave radiation during the night was quite good over a wide area. The surface of the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary will freeze, but a strong Layer of hard-compacted snow resulting from a melt-freeze process or wind.EAWS glossary will not form and will soften during the day. This applies in particular below approximately 2600 m. This applies especially above the tree line. 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 Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary in particular on northwest, north and northeast facing slopes. Sunny slopes: The solar radiation will give rise as the day progresses to rapid moistening of the snowpack.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

12 Mar 16:00 UTC

Valid until

13 Mar 16:00 UTC

Next update

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