Beware of wind-blown snow at high altitudes above 1800 m above sea level.
The main avalanche problem at high altitudes is wind-drifted snow deposited on the leeward sides in the form of snow slabs and pillows. Avalanche release is possible here with higher additional loads. Danger spots in the terrain are relatively easy to see for experienced ski mountaineers and climbers, they are located under saddles, ridges, rock walls and in places where the slope changes. During the day, small sluffs of wet snow may occur on sunlit /southern/ slopes. At lower and middle altitudes and in places where newer snow is absent, the snow cover is hard to icy after previous temperature changes.
Snowpack
The snow cover is frozen and stabilized due to the previous significant temperature change. Newer snow is generally found above the forest belt and even here it is very irregularly distributed. Strong winds, which changed direction, transported it to leeward places and created snow slabs and pillows. On the sunlit southern slopes, the surface of the snow cover softens briefly. The snow cover is well below average at altitudes up to 1200 m above sea level. The highest snow cover in the Slovak mountains is in the Western Tatras above the forest zone.
Tendency
Constant avalanche danger
Compiled by Filip Kyzek
Danger level
1700m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1700m
Favourable situation
Avalanche danger in the Low Tatras and Fatras is only LOW (1st level). The occurrence of avalanches is generally not expected. Smaller avalanches can only be released locally on steep slopes and with large additional loads - especially on northern slopes if there is newer snow on them. On southern, sunlit slopes, sluffs and small avalanches from wet snow may also occur during the day.
Snowpack
The snow cover froze and stabilised due to the previous significant temperature change. Newer snow is generally only found at altitudes above 1800 m above sea level and even here it is very irregularly distributed. Strong winds, which changed direction, transported it to leeward places and created snow slabs and pillows. On the sunlit slopes, the surface of the snow cover temporarily softens during midday. Snow cover is well below average at elevations up to 1200 m above sea level.
