Danger level

2000m

Wind slab

2000m

Watch out for wind-blown pillows of new snow.

There is a moderate avalanche danger in the High and Western Tatras above 2000 m above sea level. The main avalanche problem is wind-blown snow. Especially dangerous are western orientations, narrow chutes and places under rock walls. Locally there are wind-blown snow slabs and pillows. Loosening is possible on steep slopes, especially with high additional loads. Below 2000 m avalanche danger is low. The snow cover here is generally well consolidated due to the low temperatures.

Snowpack

The snow cover is very varied. At the highest altitudes, a very hard to icy layer alternates with wind-blown snow. In the previous day and night, up to 10 cm of new snow was recorded at higher altitudes. On the western orientations there is a larger amount of new, loose snow in places. At middle elevations, the water-soaked snow cover from the previous days is freezing due to the cooling and is stabilising significantly.

Tendency

Persistent

Danger level

There is a low avalanche danger in the Fatras and the Low Tatras. Avalanches are generally possible on very steep slopes with high additional loads. Occasionally, spontaneous small avalanches or avalanches from wet snow may occur on sunlit orientations. Their release poses a risk especially in connection with falling over rock thresholds and other terrain traps.

Snowpack

The snow cover has been saturated with water throughout its profile and is now stabilising well as air temperatures drop below 0°C. At the highest elevations and on ridges the snow is hard to icy. Occasionally, in leeward (mainly western) exposures above 1800 m above sea level, larger amounts of new snow from the last snowfall can be found. At middle and lower elevations, the snow surface will be hard and load-bearing. Depending on the orientation, continuous snow cover can be found from 1200 m above sea level.

Tendency

Persistent

Compiled by Ivan Chlebovec