In the High, Western and Low Tatras, a slight avalanche danger applies on Tuesday, mainly above 1,600 meters above sea level (m above sea level), level two on the five-part international scale. A low avalanche danger is declared for the entire mountain range of Veľká and Mala Fatra. This was reported by the Avalanche Prevention Center (SLP) of the Mountain Rescue Service (HZS).
- There is a moderate avalanche danger in the High, Western and Low Tatras.
- A small avalanche danger is declared in Veľká and Mala Fatra.
- On the leeward slopes, snow slabs and pillows of varying hardness form.
- The critical layer consists of gravel above 1800 meters, especially in the High Tatras.
- New snow and wind will create unstable slabs prone to unleashing avalanches.
Due to the influence of snow and wind, mainly on the leeward slopes of northwest, south and east orientations, snow slabs and pillows of different thickness and hardness will form. “Under them will be a layer of hailstones from the last light snowfall, which will form a critical dangerous layer. They are located in the snow profile above 1800 m above sea level, mainly in the High Tatras,” the center said, stressing that it will be possible to release the avalanche mainly with a large additional load.
After the current cooling, the snow cover on the southern slopes is hard and firn, in the northern sectors it is mostly stable, but not load-bearing. During the day, an increase of new snow is expected, ten centimeters in the Low Tatras, gradually 15 to 20 centimeters in the Western and High Tatras. “Due to the influence of the north to northwest wind of up to 15 meters per second, it will be deposited very unevenly on the leeward places. On hard ground, the snow slabs and pillows created in this way will be untied, susceptible to the release of an avalanche. Especially in the High Tatras, you have to pay attention to the layer of hail in the profile,” added SLP.
