Maddalene · 24 February 2026

Day Risk Profile

Moderate

below treeline

Considerable

above treeline

Avalanche Problems

Above treeline

Considerable (3) Dry avalanches · all day

Wind slab + Persistent weak layers Slab 3

All aspects

above treeline

Large Some Very poor

GM.1 GM.6

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

Below 2500 m

Considerable (3) Wet avalanches · all day

Wet snow Slab 3

E, SE, S, SW, W

below 2500m

Medium Some Poor

GM.1 GM.6

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

Avalanche Activity

The new snow and wind slabs represent the main danger. Outside marked and open pistes a very precarious avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. Very steep sunny slopes: Increase in danger of wet avalanches as a consequence of warming.

The sometimes storm force wind has transported a lot of snow. Above the tree line avalanche prone wind slabs formed, especially adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas in all altitude zones, as well as 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 at elevated altitudes. On very steep sunny slopes medium-sized natural avalanches must be expected. In some places the avalanches can penetrate down to the ground and reach large size. Mostly the dry avalanches are medium-sized and can be released by a single winter sport participant. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. 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 the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary serve as an alarm indicating the danger. The Locations delineated by aspect or altitude where avalanches can trigger and people or objects are at risk.EAWS glossary are prevalent and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Backcountry touring calls for meticulous route selection.

Outlook

Constant avalanche danger

25 February 2026

The snowpack remains prone to triggering over a wide area. The avalanche danger will persist. The activity of wet avalanches will gradually increase.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

Over a wide area over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow, and up to 50 cm in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary in particular on steep shady slopes above the tree line. Distinct 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 old snowpack. The meteorological conditions will foster a gradual weakening of the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary on sunny slopes. The snowpack remains unstable over a wide area, especially adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas in all altitude zones, as well as 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 at elevated altitudes.

Source

ALBINA

Issued

24 Feb 07:42 UTC

Valid until

24 Feb 16:00 UTC

Next update

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Schedule

Off-schedule