Veľká Fatra

Watch out for wind-blown slabs of new snow.

Watch out for wind-blown slabs of new snow.

There is a moderate avalanche danger in the Fatra Mountains, i.e. level 2 above 1300 m a.s.l. Up to 10 cm of new snow has been added to the hard old snow cover. Strong winds of different directions persist. The main problem is therefore wind-blown snow. The steep troughs at the highest altitudes are dangerous, where the wind has deposited smaller snow slabs and pillows in places during the day. Below 1300 m, it has mostly rained, and after cooling the snow will harden and become stable. We do not expect spontaneous avalanches.

The old snow cover has hardened due to the changing temperatures. A thick layer of ice has formed on its surface. Up to 10 cm of new snow has been added, which will be very unevenly distributed due to the wind. The large difference in hardness between the old snow cover and the new snow has caused instability in the snow profile. There are several crusts deeper in the profile, but these do not affect the avalanche situation. Below 1300 m there is a minimum of new snow and the gradual cooling will cause the snow to harden at lower altitudes.

Persistent Compiled by : Pavel Krajčí