Západné Tatry

Watch out for snow slabs and pillows on steep slopes! They are prone to slides and avalanche release when loaded.

Watch out for snow slabs and pillows on steep slopes! They are prone to slides and avalanche release when loaded.

In the High, West and Low Tatras and in Veľká Fatra there is a moderate avalanche danger above the forest line, 2nd degree. Snow from the last snowfall was blown onto the leeward slopes by strong winds with constantly changing direction. There are unstable snow pillows and slab snow under the ridges and in the upper parts of the couloirs, which can cause an avalanche on steep slopes when mechanically loaded. Inside the snow cover there is a layer of square-grained snow, which manifests itself in the typical warning signals of cracking of the snow cover and rumbling - grey sounds. Larger spontaneous avalanches are not expected.

In the northern sector and at the highest altitudes, there are unstable layers of square-grained snow in the snow cover. The snow from the last snowfall (of one week's duration), totaling 15-30 cm, is dry, wind-blown and unevenly distributed. At middle and lower altitudes the snow is loose, lying on hard ground. A crust forms on the southern slopes under the influence of the sun. The snow cover remains well below average, especially at altitudes below 1500 m above sea level.

With gradual warming and precipitation INCREASING. fk