Beware of wind-blown snow on all orientations. Soft, angular-grained snow in the northern sector.
In the High and Western Tatras there is an INCREASED avalanche danger, 3rd degree. The avalanche danger has spread to all orientations due to strong winds. Snow slabs and cushions have formed under rock walls, just below saddles, in couloirs and moguls. Avalanche release in these places is possible with only a small additional load. Small and medium-sized spontaneous avalanches may also occur occasionally. In the northern sector, soft, angular-grained snow remains an avalanche problem and is difficult to detect in the snow cover.
Snowpack
Due to snowfall combined with very strong winds (above 20 m/s), the snow cover changed very quickly. Places where large amounts of snow (even more than 50 cm) are piled up alternate with places that are blown into older hard ground, grass and rocks. Most of the snow is blown into the forest and slash zone. Due to the very cold air, this snow is unable to bind with the substrate, which consists of older snow or wind-blown slabs. Therefore, under the new snow, even under the older layer, a soft, angular-grained snow is formed, which is very difficult to detect in the terrain.
Tendency
Persistent
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
New snow
Watch out for unstable snow slabs and cushions formed by the wind.
In Malá Fatra, an INCREASED avalanche danger is declared above the forest zone, level 3. Due to snowfall and strong winds, snow slabs and pillows have formed, which are wound up on the older, mostly windblown surface. The new snow cannot bind well enough to the substrate. An avalanche can be released with only a small additional load. Occasionally, smaller or medium-sized spontaneous avalanches may occur in places where the wind blows large amounts of snow, even more than 50 cm.
Snowpack
After a day of intense snowfall combined with very strong winds (over 20 m/s), the snow cover was changing very quickly. Places where a large amount of new snow (even more than 50cm) is piled up alternate with places blown into older hard ground, grass and rocks. Most of the snow is blown into the forest and slash belt. Due to the very cold air, this snow is unable to bind with the substrate, which consists of older snow or wind-blown slabs. Therefore, under the new snow, even under the older layer, a soft, angular-grained snow is formed, which is very difficult to detect in the terrain.
Tendency
Persistent
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
1700m
Beware of wind-blown snow that forms unstable snow slabs and pillows. Underneath are soft, angular-grained snow.
In the Low Tatras there is a moderate avalanche danger, 2nd degree. Due to strong winds and snowfall, the danger has gradually spread to all orientations. Snow slabs and cushions have formed, especially under rock walls, just below saddles, in couloirs and moguls. Avalanche release in these places is possible, especially with high additional loads. Occasionally, small spontaneous avalanches may occur, mainly from new snow. In the northern sector, soft, angular-grained snow remains an avalanche problem and is difficult to detect in the snow cover.
Snowpack
Due to snowfall combined with very strong winds (above 20 m/s), the snow cover changed very quickly. Places where large amounts of snow (even more than 30 cm) are piled up alternate with places that are blown into older hard ground, grass and rocks. Most of the snow is blown into the forest and slash zone. Due to the very cold air, this snow is unable to bind with the substrate, which consists of older snow or wind-blown slabs. Therefore, under the new snow, even under the older layer, a soft, angular-grained snow is formed, which is very difficult to detect in the terrain.
Tendency
Persistent
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
New snow
Watch out for wind-blown snow that has created unstable snow slabs and pillows.
In Veľká Fatra and Lúčanská Mala Fatra there is a MODERATE avalanche danger, 2nd degree. Due to snowfall and strong winds, snow slabs and pillows have formed over the forest belt, which are wound up on the older, mostly wind-blown surface. New snow is an avalanche problem in the forest belt. Avalanche will be able to be released especially with large additional loads in steep terrain. Watch out for places that form a terrain trap. Exceptionally, small spontaneous avalanches may form in steep forest terrain from new loose snow.
Snowpack
Due to snowfall combined with very strong winds (above 20 m/s), the snow cover changed very quickly, especially over the forest belt. Places where large amounts of snow (even more than 30 cm) are piled up alternate with places that are blown into older hard ground, grass and rocks. Most of the snow is blown into the forest and slash zone. Due to the very cold air, this snow is unable to bind with the substrate, which consists of older snow or wind-blown slabs.
