Snow has fallen in the Tatra Mountains, and strong winds blowing on the peaks create snow blizzards. The Tatra National Park advises against going to higher parts of the mountains. Due to the unsettled weather, there may be an avalanche threat at the end of the week. Conditions are also difficult in the higher parts of the Beskids.
Conditions in Tatra Mountains are difficult, there is more snow. Strong winds create snow flurries on the peaks. According to the Tatra National Park, there is a thin layer of fresh snow on the trails, under which there is ice in many places and it is very slippery. Slipping on steep terrain may result in falling from a height. It is especially slippery near watercourses, for example at the Siklawa waterfall and at Morskie Oko near Czarnostańska Siklawa.
Weather breakdown in the Tatra Mountains, snow falling
– The weather has broken in the Tatra Mountains. On the night from Monday to Tuesday, snow began to fall heavily, and in addition, there was a strong wind blowing in the mountains, reaching speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour, which further intensified the feeling of cold. On Kasprowy Wierch, the temperature dropped to -4 degrees Celsius and heavy frosts are forecast, said Tomasz Zając, TPN guide and educator. He added that on the weekend in Zakopane the temperature can drop even to -10 degrees Celsius, and on the peaks even to -20 degrees Celsius.
Due to the forecast snowfall, there may be an avalanche risk at the end of the week. – We advise against any trips to the mountains – emphasized Zając.
TPN reminds that during strong winds, branches and trees may fall on the trails. Hiking in such conditions poses a threat to health and life.
Snowfall also worsened driving conditions on the Podhale roads. Drivers going to Zakopane should replace their tires with winter ones.
Difficult conditions in the Beskids
On Tuesday, conditions on the trails in the higher parts of the Beskids were difficult. From 700-800 meters above sea level there is up to several centimeters of snow. Visibility in the mountains in the morning was limited, mountaineering experts reported. It is autumn in the lower parts of the mountains. There may be ice on the trails.
– The recent snowfall was not heavy. At the height of Markowe Szczawiny and Hala Miziowa, 5 to 8 centimeters fell. However, in the upper parts of the Beskids on Tuesday, visibility was limited, even up to 100 meters. Combined with snow, which appears already at an altitude of 700-800 meters above sea level, this creates difficult conditions – said the rescuer on duty of the Beskidzka GOPR Group from the station in Szczyrk. Icy spots are expected on the trails. The managers of the popular PTTK shelter in Klimczok informed that it is being renovated. The works will last until mid-December. – We are open, but to a very limited extent – they announced. The accommodation area is excluded from use. Mandatory inspections of cableways are underway in the Beskids. Tourists will not go to Mosorny Groń in Zawoja, Szyndzielnia and Dębowiec in Bielsko-Biała, Czantoria in Ustrońas well as Skrzyczne in Szczyrk. You can use the funicular railway to Żary in Międzybrodzie Żywiecki. Tourists who go hiking in the mountains must be well prepared. Sturdy footwear and warm clothing are particularly important. It's worth having sticks and grips. The phone should be charged and have the “Rescue” application installed. A flashlight may be useful. In the event of an accident in the mountains, you can call GOPR by calling the free emergency telephone number: 985 or 601 100 300.
Main photo source: PAP/Grzegorz Momot