Watch out for wind-blown slabs and pillows of new snow
In the Western and High Tatras there is a moderate avalanche danger (2nd degree) above the forest zone. Snowfall coming from the northwest brought 10 to 20 cm of new snow. Especially the leeward sides of ridges, narrow couloirs and places under rock walls are dangerous. Here, there may be wind-beaten slabs and cushions of varying hardness, which are deposited on a hard substrate, the two layers being poorly interconnected. The danger is concentrated where the old hard snow is located. The second avalanche problem is a permanently weak layer. Shady orientations and the northern slopes of our mountain ranges are therefore particularly dangerous.
Snowpack
Between 10 and 20 cm of new snow has been added in recent days. The snow is very unevenly distributed due to strong winds. On the leeward sides, the snow is deposited in slabs and pillows. There is loose powder snow where the wind intensity is less. On average there is between 20 and 50 cm of snow in our mountains. A continuous snow cover is mostly found above the forest belt.
Tendency
No change
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Beware of wind-drifted snow slabs and pillows, lying on hard crust.
In Mala Fatra and Low Tatras there is a low avalanche danger (1st degree) above the forest zone, the main avalanche problem is wind-blown snow. Dangerous are mainly leeward sides of ridges, narrow chutes and places under rock walls. Here there may be wind-blown slabs and cushions of different hardness, which are deposited on a hard base, the two layers being weakly interconnected. These places in the terrain are relatively easy to spot. The second avalanche problem is a permanently weak layer. Shady orientations and the northern slopes of our mountain ranges are therefore particularly dangerous. Only small avalanches in isolated locations are at risk, which, once released, pose a risk especially in combination with terrain traps (protruding rocks, terrain depressions or rock precipices).
Snowpack
Between 5 and 10 cm of new snow has been added in recent days. The snow is very unevenly distributed due to strong winds. The windward sides and the tops of ridges are blown into the hard ground, sometimes even into rocks and grass. On the leeward sides the snow is deposited in slabs and pillows. Loose powder snow is found where the wind intensity is less. On average there is between 15 and 30 cm of snow in our mountains. A continuous snow cover is mostly found above the forest belt.
