Západné Tatry

Beware of wind-blown snow at the highest altitudes!

In the highest altitudes (above 1700 m) of the High, Western and Low Tatras there is still a moderate avalanche danger (2nd degree from the 5-part international scale). The danger is mainly posed by the leeward sides of ridges and steep to extremely steep couloirs (above 35°) of the highest altitudes, where strong winds of recent days have transported large amounts of snow. Snow pillows and slabs are found in these places, the stability of which is difficult to assess. Their loosening is possible with high additional loads (e.g. walking, falling). At lower altitudes, small spontaneous avalanches of wet snow can occur due to warming and rainfall. The avalanche danger increases with altitude, and medium-sized avalanches may occur at altitudes above 1700 m above sea level.

The most snow is found in the High, Western and Low Tatras, where the average snow cover from the middle positions reaches from 40 to 80 cm. The snow cover is very unevenly distributed due to the wind, on the windward sides it is blown down to the substrate, on the leeward sides there are snow pillows and slabs of unbound snow.

It persisted through Tuesday, and conditions are expected to cool and freeze and stabilize by Wednesday.