VERY STRONG FOEHN WINDS IN THE TATRA MOUNTAINS (POLISH CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS) – CAUSES, COURSE AND CONSEQUENCES

Abstract

The foehn wind in the Tatra Mountains is referred to as "halny". It blows from the south and often causes significant temperature rises and drops in air humidity on the leeward side of the mountain range. It is accompanied by strong and abrupt gusts which may cause damage to the forest stand and infrastructure. This paper looks at two cases of very strong foehn winds which occurred in the Tatra Mountains and the Podhale Region in May 1968 and December 2013. It compares the synoptic and weather conditions which accompanied the phenomenon, including wind speed and direction, as well as relative air temperature and humidity. The foehn wind recorded in May 1968 is sometimes referred to as the "wind of the century". Wind gusts at the Tatra peaks reached a speed of 288 kmh-1. In December 2013 the wind had less force at Kasprowy Wierch than in Zakopane, but it caused similar amount of damage to the forest stand as the wind recorded in May 1968.

Keywords

• foehn wind
• very strong wind
• Tatra Mountains