Veľká Fatra

Watch out for wind-blown snow that has created unstable snow slabs and pillows.

Watch out for wind-blown snow that has created unstable snow slabs and pillows.

Due to snowfall and strong winds, there is a moderate avalanche danger in the Fatra Mountains above the forest zone, 2nd degree. The avalanche danger is local, concentrated in places where the wind blows a larger amount of new snow. This is in the form of unstable snow slabs and pillows in couloirs, moguls and under saddles. Avalanche release on such steep slopes, where old frozen snow is still under the new snow, is possible, especially with additional loads. Larger spontaneous avalanches are not expected.

The snow cover is varied. 20 to 35 cm of new snow has fallen in the last 3 days. This has been transported by strong NW to W winds to leeward places and into the forest zone, where its height reaches even more than 50 cm. In places exposed to the wind, the surface of the snow is blown down to the 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. fk

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