About the avalanche bulletin ¶

The avalanche bulletin is an official federal warning issued by the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF. It is described on this website and in the avalanche bulletin interpretation guide, whereby only the most recent version is binding.

Interpretation Guide (PDF)

Terminology and division into regions ¶

Danger Levels

The European avalanche danger scale and what it means

Typical avalanche problems

What is the main danger today? For example fresh-fallen snow, weak old snow or wet-snow avalanches as the day progresses.

Avalanche prone locations

In which terrain is the danger particularly significant? For example, on steep north-facing slopes above 2400 m.

Division into regions

Overview of geographical terminology, e.g. the Gotthard region, the Northern Alpine Ridge and the Iffigen warning region

Avalanche types

Slab, loose-snow and gliding avalanches: the various avalanche types at a glance

Avalanche sizes

The European avalanche danger scale; N.B.: Many winter sports enthusiasts are killed by 'medium-sized' avalanches.

Additional load

Naturally triggered avalanches and low or high additional load

Glossary

The avalanche bulletin uses many defined terms. These are explained in the European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS) glossary.

Avalanche bulletin information ¶

The avalanche bulletin

What is an avalanche bulletin, and who publishes it?

Products

Interactive avalanche bulletin, print product or icon map? An overview of avalanche bulletin formats

Media used

People find their way to the avalanche bulletin in a variety of ways. Here is a quick overview.

Publication times and validity

Publication in the evening, update in the morning: When are the avalanche bulletins published, and until when are they valid?

Resources

Producing an avalanche bulletin requires a lot of data: measurements, observations, assessments ...and weather reports.

Capabilities and limitations of the avalanche bulletin

A regional danger assessment has limitations. How are these handled?

How are avalanche bulletins produced?

Ever wondered how the avalanche bulletin is produced?

White Risk: the avalanche app

Avalanche bulletin, snow data and much more. User-friendly and free: the SLF's avalanche app

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