Veľká Fatra

Beware of wind-wound slabs placed on very hard ground. In the afternoon there is a risk of spontaneous avalanches from wet snow.

Beware of wind-wound slabs placed on very hard ground. In the afternoon there is a risk of spontaneous avalanches from wet snow.

In the eastern part of the Low Tatras and Veľká Fatra there is a moderate avalanche danger. The main avalanche problem is wind-blown snow. A very strong northwesterly in the previous days created especially on the leeward sides under glass walls and in narrow couloirs wind-beaten slabs in which stresses spread very well. These are, moreover, deposited on very hard ground. The two layers are very poorly bonded to each other. Their loosening is particularly possible on steep slopes with large additional loads. Small to medium-sized slab avalanches are particularly dangerous. Wet snow will be the second avalanche problem in the afternoon. Due to the warming effect, the snow cover will become soaked through to the hard ground and will suddenly lose its strength. Especially sunlit S, SE and SW orientations are dangerous. Small to medium-sized spontaneous avalanches from wet snow are threatening here.

Up to 20 cm of new mostly powdery snow fell during the last snowfall period. However, this is very unevenly distributed due to strong winds. The mountain ridges are blown into hard to icy ground. In the couloirs there are hard wind-beaten slabs, which will be cut when skiing. Loose powder snow is found where wind speeds have been lower. At lower altitudes the snow cover is wet due to higher temperatures.

As the weather warms up, the avalanche situation will stabilise slightly. Compiled by : Pavel Bet'ko