Západné Tatry

Beware of wind-blown slabs and pillows of new snow that are deposited on hard ground. These layers are poorly bonded to each other.

With snow and wind rising. PB.

Beware of wind-blown slabs and pillows of new snow that are deposited on hard ground. These layers are poorly bonded to each other.

In the Tatras (Low, High, West) there is a moderate avalanche danger (2nd degree) above the forest zone. Overnight snowfall, which will continue during the day, will bring a total of 10 to 20 cm of new snow. The main avalanche problem is wind-blown snow. All orientations are dangerous. Watch out for narrow couloirs, leeward sides of ridges and places under rock walls. Here there may be wind-beaten slabs and pillows that are deposited on hard ground. The two layers are weakly interconnected. Small to medium avalanches are expected and pose a risk, especially in combination with terrain traps.

Friday's cold snap stabilized the soggy snowpack from the previous days. However, up to 20 cm of new snow will gradually fall on such a hard surface. The snowfall will be accompanied by strong winds, so the snow will be mostly packed down into slabs and pillows of varying hardness. Where wind stability is less, the snow will be loose, powdery. Peaks and ridges are blown into hard ground. On average there is between 20 and 60 cm of snow in our mountains. A continuous snow cover is mostly found above the forest belt.