Rescuers warn of avalanche risk in Poland's Tatra mountains

Rescuers have issued renewed avalanche and weather warnings for Poland’s southern Tatra mountains.

Snowy mountain landscape in Zakopane, southern Poland.

Image by Fakhri Bagirov from Pexels/pexels.com/Free to use

The Tatra Volunteer Rescue Service (TOPR) warned hikers on Saturday that the trails in the mountain range were covered with fresh snow, making them potentially hazardous and necessitating proper winter gear.

Snowfall in Zakopane, a popular tourist resort in Poland's southern Tatra mountains, Nov. 29, 2024. Photo: PAP/Grzegorz Momot

"Several centimetres of snow have fallen in the Tatras over the past 24 hours," mountain rescuers said in a social media message. "Combined with strong winds, this has led to the formation of large snow deposits in some areas," they added.

"These deposits are unstable and not anchored to the ground, posing a significant risk," the message said.

The avalanche risk level was defined as low.

"The snowpack is well bonded and stable in general," the Tatra Volunteer Rescue Service said in a statement.

It added that although "only small and medium natural avalanches are possible," anyone venturing into the mountains should exercise caution.

W rejonach powyżej około 800 m n.p.m. występują i w ciągu najbliższych godzin są prognozowane opady śniegu, okresami o umiarkowanym natężeniu. Prognozowany przyrost pokrywy śnieżnej do wieczora o 5 do 10 cm, w górach lokalnie 15-20 cm.https://t.co/QWSn4Qm6Ft#IMGW pic.twitter.com/VyXboyKjTw

— IMGW-PIB METEO POLSKA (@IMGWmeteo) November 29, 2024

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Source: IAR, PAP, topr.pl