Vysoké Tatry - západ

Beware of wind-blown new snow!

Beware of wind-blown new snow!

In the High Tatras and in the Ďumbier part of the Low Tatras, a moderate avalanche danger is declared for positions above 1500m above sea level, i.e. the 2nd degree of the 5-part international scale. A lot of new snow is being deposited by wind into pillows and soft slabs in the north-east, east, south-east to south oriented couloirs and troughs. In the High and Low Tatras there is about 30cm of new snow. Especially steep to extremely steep troughs with a slope above 35° are a danger. The release of small, even medium-sized avalanches is likely especially with high additional loads (e.g. walking, skier's fall, etc.).

In the High and Low Tatras 15 - 30 cm of new snow was added during the last snowfall period (Friday-Saturday-Sunday). The total height of the snow cover in some places reaches 1m. In the cold north-westerly flow during these days, the air temperature was in the range of -10 to -15 °C. The new snow remains powdery and is intensively moved by strong winds, which of course makes it unevenly distributed. On leeward, mainly east- and south-facing slopes, the wind-blown new snow is deposited in pillows and soft slabs, which are dangerous on very steep slopes. More snow is forecast for tomorrow, but with little precipitation.

Avalanche danger is expected to persist. Compiled by Ivan Chlebovec