Západné Tatry

Wet snow due to persistent warming

Wet snow due to persistent warming

In the High, Western, Western part of the Low Tatras and Fatras there is still the 3rd degree of avalanche danger from the 5-part international scale. In the higher altitudes (High and Western Tatras) there is still loose unbound snow, which is and will continue to be transported to the leeward slopes of the southern, south-eastern and eastern exposures due to strong north-west winds. In such places, especially in narrow and steep couloirs, slopes on the leeward sides of ridges, it is possible to release an avalanche with only a small additional load. Another problem is wet snow. Ongoing warming, which will continue through Tuesday, will cause the 0°C isotherm to reach its highest levels later in the day. Spontaneous basement avalanches from wet snow are possible during the day, especially on prominent avalanche slopes of all exposures.

Due to the warming, the snow in the mid-altitudes has fallen by an average of 10 to 15 cm. There is still dry snow at the highest altitudes, which has been transported by strong winds to the leeward sides of the ridges, where it is stored in unstable slabs and cushions. Warming will continue to persist through Tuesday, including at the highest altitudes, so we expect a further decrease in snow cover. At mid-elevations, the snowpack is soaked throughout the profile, and we expect gradual soaking at the highest elevations during the day!

During the day, due to warming, the avalanche danger is expected to continue to develop.