Západné Tatry

Watch for snow pillows on the leeward (N-SW) sides of mountains and wet snow on sunlit slopes during the day.

Watch for snow pillows on the leeward (N-SW) sides of mountains and wet snow on sunlit slopes during the day.

In the High, Western and central part of the Low Tatras there is a SMALL avalanche danger (1st degree of the 5-part scale). Significant snowfalls from the last snowfall period were often blown by strong winds into the forest zone. However, on the leeward sides of the mountains (mainly W, NW and N), snow pillows and slabs are locally formed by the wind at the highest elevations and may be less stable, especially on steep to very steep shady slopes. Avalanche release is occasionally possible with high additional loads. At mid-altitudes the snow has settled and stabilised due to the temperature change. During the day, on south-facing, sunny slopes, it will gradually become heavier, reducing its stability, and small spontaneous avalanches may occur sporadically, mainly from moist to wet snow.

The weather will still be under the influence of the weakening pressure above during Wednesday, so sunny weather with southerly winds at higher altitudes will persist. Snow from the last snowfall period has been blown by strong winds into the valleys, windward sides are often blown to the base. Locally, however, snow may be deposited on the W, NW and N exposures of the mountains in the form of smaller pillows and slabs. At the highest elevations of the predominantly N exposures it retains a powdery character, while at the middle elevations a crust or layer of firn is formed on the surface. During the day, the snow will become wet and melt due to warming on the southern slopes; at night and in the morning these areas will be hard to icy. The overall snow cover is still below average.

persistent