Wind slab
- Above treeline
- Size
- 2
Stability: poor · Frequency: few
Watch out for wind-blown snow that has created unstable snow slabs and pillows.
Stability: poor · Frequency: few
Watch out for wind-blown snow that has created unstable snow slabs and pillows.
In Mala Fatra there is a MODERATE avalanche danger in the highest altitudes (above the forest zone), 2nd degree. The avalanche danger is local, concentrated in places where the wind has blown large amounts of new snow. This is in the form of unstable snow slabs and cushions in couloirs, moguls and under saddles. Avalanche release on such steep slopes, where there is still old frozen snow under the new snow, is possible, especially with additional loads. Larger spontaneous avalanches are not expected.
The snow cover is varied. During the last snowfall period, 10 cm of new snow fell. This has been transported by strong NW to W winds to leeward places and into the forest belt, where its height reaches more than 50 cm. In wind-exposed areas, the snow surface is blown down to old snow, possibly rocks and grass. Due to the very low temperatures, the new snow cannot bind with the old snow base and remains unstable. The old frozen snow is only found from about 1400 m above sea level (depending on orientation). The total snow depth remains below average, ranging from 20 to 50 cm.
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Bulletin data: Stredisko lavínovej prevencie HZS (via EAWS / avalanche.report)