In the high altitudes (above 1900 m above sea level) of the High and Western 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, steep to extremely steep couloirs (above 35°), 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, especially under high additional loads (e.g. foot traffic, skier's fall, etc.). Moderate avalanches can also occur.
At lower altitudes, the snow cover has stabilised due to the warming on Wednesday and the subsequent cooling. Avalanche danger increases with altitude.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
In the High and Western Tatras, the snow cover ranges from 40 to 80 cm from the middle altitudes.
The snow is very unevenly distributed due to the wind, on the windward sides it is blown down to the base, and on the leeward slopes (mainly eastern orientations) there are snow pillows and slabs of unbound snow.
At altitudes below 1800 m above sea level, the snow surface turns hard, icy due to a brief warming and subsequent cooling.
Tendency
It persisted through Tuesday, and conditions are expected to cool and freeze and stabilize by Wednesday.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Beware of wind-blown snow pillows!
In the Low Tatras and the Fatras there is a low avalanche danger (1st degree of the 5-part international scale). The danger here is posed by the leeward sides (NE-oriented) of ridges (NE-oriented) with steep to extremely steep slopes (above 35°), where the strong winds of recent days have transported large amounts of snow. At these locations there are snow pillows and slabs whose stability is difficult to estimate. Their loosening is possible with high additional loads (e.g. foot traffic, skier's fall, etc.).
In these mountains, the snow cover has stabilised due to the warming during Wednesday and the subsequent cooling. Avalanche danger increases with altitude.
Snowpack
The height of snow cover in the Fatras is around 10 to 30 cm of snow, in the Low Tatras it is up to 70 cm of snow. The snow is very unevenly distributed due to the wind. The ridges are blown into the hard ground. In the lower altitudes below 1300 m above sea level there is no continuous snow cover yet.
On the windward sides the snow is blown down to the subsoil, and on the leeward slopes there are snow pillows and slabs of unbound snow. At altitudes below 1800 m above sea level, the surface of the snow turns hard, icy due to a short warming and subsequent cooling.
Tendency
It persisted through Tuesday, and conditions are expected to cool and freeze and stabilize by Wednesday.
