High avalanche danger Tuesday and Wednesday
NVE reports that high avalanche danger - danger level 4 - is expected in the Svalbard West region on 24 and 25 February. On Wednesday, 25 February, danger level 4 is expected in Nordenskiöld Land.
The weather forecast is for quite rough weather over the next few days and the NVE reports an increased avalanche danger on the west side of Svalbard. On Tuesday, 24 February and Wednesday, 25 February, there will be danger level 4 in the Svalbard West region. Winds reaching storm strength and the possibility of heavy precipitation create a high avalanche danger. There could be a large accumulation of drift snow on an already unstable snowpack with weak layers in the snow. Avalanches can break loose on their own and could become large.
Wednesday, 25 February, there is danger level 4 on Nordenskiöld Land. Very strong winds can lead to a high avalanche risk. It is uncertain how strong the wind will be and how much snow will be moved. In areas that receive a lot of snow drifts, many large avalanches can be released on their own.
The local avalanche warning for Longyearbyen is at yellow level on Monday, 23 February. Skred AS will prepare a new warning on Tuesday at 10 a.m. If there is a lot of snow drifts, many large avalanches can be released by themselves.
Avalanche forecast for the Svalbard West region: https://www.varsom.no/en/snow/forecast/warning/Svalbard%20vest/2026-02-24
Avalanche forecast for Nordenskiöld Land: https://www.varsom.no/en/snow/forecast/warning/Nordenski%C3%B6ld%20Land/2026-02-25
The governor encourages people to secure loose objects and perhaps put cover on their snow mobiles.