Mountain rescuers warn of an invisible threat in the Tatras: The situation has changed sharply in these locations!

In the High Tatras, on Monday, a moderate avalanche danger has been declared in positions above 2,200 meters above sea level (m above sea level), level two on the five-point international scale. In the Fatras and the Low and Western Tatras, a low avalanche danger is declared above the forest zone. This was reported by the Avalanche Prevention Center (SLP) of the Mountain Rescue Service (HZS).

• In the High Tatras, above 2200 meters, there is a moderate avalanche danger today.
• There is a low avalanche danger in the Fatras and the Low Tatras as well as the Western Tatras.
• Wind-blown snow sheets and pillows increase the risk of avalanches in the north.
• On the southern slopes, the snow is more stable after freezing, hard in the morning, soft in the afternoon.
• Avalanches are especially dangerous on very steep slopes with a large additional load.

The avalanche problem is windblown snow from the last snowfall, especially on the northern side of the Tatras. The situation was complicated by the wind, which created dangerous snowdrifts and pillows. “Avalanche release is possible on steep slopes, especially with a large additional load. On southern slopes, after warm weather and subsequent cooling, the situation is stable. In the morning, the snow is hard, on sunlit slopes it softens during the day.” the center warned.

The snow got wet on the sunny slopes and then froze, which stabilized the situation. Dry snow can only be found at high altitudes on shady and northern slopes. Continuous snow cover is found in positions above 1300 to 1500 m above sea level, depending on the orientation.

In the Fatras and the Low and Western Tatras, the snow also became wet due to the warming and gradually froze as it cooled. In several places, the new snow has already completely melted. “Avalanche release in the highest locations is possible only on very steep slopes with a large additional load. Rarely, only small spontaneous wet avalanches are possible to slide,” added the SLP, saying that overall the height of the snow cover is below average.