Danger level

Wet snow
Persistent weak layer		1800m

Beware of significant warming during the day - snow will become heavier, possible spontaneous avalanches

Moderate avalanche danger (2nd degree) is valid in the High and Western and western part of the Low Tatras. The main avalanche problem is wet snow on steep sunny slopes. Caution, on the eastern slopes the snow may get wet even in the morning. On the north side of the highest elevations, there is still a consistently weak layer in the snow profile. The current terrain situation calls for good decisions, avoid steep areas, watch for a heavier layer of melted snow, but also avoid areas where blown snow from the last snowfall is evident and has not fallen with an avalanche in previous days. In the event of an avalanche release, avalanches of medium to large size, even spontaneous avalanches, are a risk.

Snowpack

The weather is very warm and sunny. Temperatures will reach positive numbers even at the highest altitudes. Snow will harden overnight and then soften again during the day. On the northern side of the mountains, in shaded areas, the snow still retains its powdery character. At the highest points (above 1800 m), there is a permanently weak layer of square-grained snow on the northern side of the mountains. The snow cover remains well below average, especially at altitudes below 1500 m.

Tendency

rising during the day, decreasing as evening approaches, weakly decreasing overall

AM

Danger level

PM

Danger level

treeline

Wet snow

Treeline

Watch for significant warming during the day in southern exposures

In the Fatras and in the eastern part of the Low Tatras a moderate avalanche danger (2nd degree) is declared over the forest zone in the afternoon. Due to warming and subsequent night freezing, the avalanche-prone situation will stabilise. The main problem will be wet snow on steep sunny slopes. The avalanche situation requires good decisions, avoid steep slopes, watch out for a larger layer of melted firn, but also avoid places where blown snow from the last snowfall is evident and has not fallen with an avalanche in the previous days.

Snowpack

Temperatures will also reach positive numbers at the highest altitudes. A crust, or ice layer, has formed on the surface of the snow cover to the south. Sunny weather and warming temperatures will cause the snowpack to become wetter and the cohesion of the individual layers to decrease, especially as midday approaches. The snow cover remains well below average, especially at altitudes up to 1500 m above sea level.

Tendency

rising at midday, decreasing in the evening, weakly decreasing overall

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