There is a risk of avalanches in the Tatra Mountains. Snow has been falling on the peaks since Friday, and strong winds have created dangerous snow deposits. Mountain rescuers urge tourists to be careful.
There is a risk of avalanches of the first degree from Saturday above the height of 1700 meters above sea level. In the morning, 30 centimeters of snow fell in Kasprovy Vierch. As the rescuers of the Tatra Voluntary Emergency Service wrote in a statement, the snowfall combined with strong wind caused large snowfalls in the lowlands and mountain ranges. The snow is still loosely attached to the ground.
When going to the higher parts of the Tatra Mountains, you should have winter equipment: crampons, ice ax and helmet, as well as an avalanche kit, i.e. a detector, a probe and a shovel.
In the current season, TOPR rescuers first reported the danger of avalanches on November 21, but four days later the weather in the Tatra Mountains warmed up and the snow melted. It is expected that the next few days will be sunny but frosty and the temperature will warm up to -10 degrees in the Tatra mountains. Snow is expected again on Wednesday.
Avalanche risk is determined on an international five-level scale. Level one means low risk. The second level is medium risk. The third level is significant and the fourth is large. Fifth, the highest level of avalanche danger can occur, for example in the Alps, in areas where settlements or roads are at risk, and avalanches can cause catastrophic damage to valley floors.
Adam Ziemienovic/PAP
Main photo source: PAP/Grzegorz Momot
