Watch out for wind-blown pillows of new snow and wet avalanches on sunlit slopes.
In the High, Western and Low Tatras above 1800 m above sea level there is a moderate avalanche danger. The main avalanche problem is wet snow. All orientations will be unsafe due to the slight warming brought by rain. Avalanches are possible on steep slopes with little additional load. Small and medium avalanches are a threat, especially in conjunction with terrain traps. The second avalanche problem is wind-blown snow. At altitudes above 1800 m above sea level, there is very locally a large amount of new snow that is deposited on hard pack. Especially dangerous are narrow couloirs and places under rock walls, especially of northern and western orientations.
Snowpack
The snow cover is very varied. At the highest altitudes, a very hard to icy layer alternates with wind-blown snow. On average, up to 20 cm of new snow has fallen in the last snowfall period, but locally there may be much more. There is also a critical layer of crusts in the snow profile. Rain is expected in the mid-altitudes, which will cause the snow cover to lose its strength quickly and pose an avalanche risk. In particular, there is a risk of spontaneous avalanches from wet snow.
Tendency
With warming rising.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Beware of wet avalanches on all orientations.
There is a low avalanche danger in the Fatras and the eastern part of the Low Tatras. Avalanches are generally possible on very steep slopes with high additional loads.
Occasional spontaneous small avalanches or avalanches from wet snow may occur on all orientations. Their release poses a risk, especially in connection with falls over rock thresholds and other terrain traps.
Snowpack
The snow cover in our mountains is very varied. On the sunlit orientations, especially in the south, southwest and west, it is soaked by the sunlight and gets wet to the hard ground. On the other hand, on shaded orientations, the snow surface is very hard and load-bearing after night frosts. Depending on the orientation, a continuous snow cover can be found from 1200 m above sea level.
