Watch out for wind-blown snow at the highest altitudes
Following the passage of a cold front overnight, it will turn colder on Sunday, with up to 5cm of new dry snow expected to fall during the night and morning. Strong winds are expected throughout the day. The wet snow will freeze and stabilise overnight. There is a moderate avalanche danger in the highest altitudes of the High Tatras (level 2 on the 5-point international scale). Due to strong winds, the main avalanche problem will be wind-blown snow in the SE, SW and E orientations. Dangerous will be wind-rolled pillows and slabs on leeward sides of ridges, very steep couloirs with more new snow. In such places it will be possible to mechanically release an avalanche, especially with large additional loads.
Snowpack
The constantly changing temperatures caused a firn cover. The cooling during the night caused a thick layer of frozen snow on the snow surface. At the highest altitudes, the snow from the last snowfall period (Saturday and Sunday) is still dry and unbound with an underlying layer of hard firn. Most of the loose snow will be found in the S, SE and E exposures, where the wind will deposit it in slabs and pillows of varying hardness.
Tendency
Generally persistent, rising slightly during the day due to wind.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Watch out for wind-blown snow on the S, SE and E exposures.
After a cold front passes overnight, it will cool down on Sunday. Strong winds are expected throughout the day. Wet snow will freeze and stabilize overnight. During Sunday there is a low avalanche danger for the Fatra, Western and Low Tatras - 1st degree from the 5-day international scale. The main avalanche problem will be wind-blown snow on the SE, SW, SW and E orientations of the highest altitudes. Dangers will be wind-rolled pillows and slabs on leeward sides of ridges, very steep couloirs with more new snow. In such places it will be possible to mechanically release a smaller avalanche locally with a large additional load.
Snowpack
The constantly changing temperatures caused a firn cover. Cooling during the night will cause a thick layer of frozen snow to form on the surface of the snowpack. Light snowfall is also expected during the night and morning from the 1000 m altitude limit. Strong winds will transport the snow to the S, SE and E exposures during the day, where the wind will deposit it in smaller slabs and pillows of varying hardness. In the Fatras and Low Tatras, snow is only found at the highest elevations or in narrow shaded troughs.
Tendency
Generally persistent, rising slightly during the day due to wind.
