On Sunday, the highest peak in the Czech Republic, Sněžka, experienced hurricane-like winds, with speeds exceeding 127 kilometers per hour at 12:30 pm, according to data from the Anežka post office’s weather station. The hurricane threshold is typically set at 117.7 kilometers per hour, emphasizing the intensity of the weather phenomenon.

The powerful winds led to disruptions in the operations of the Sněžka cable car. The upper section of the cable car was temporarily suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns, while the lower area from Pec pod Sněžkou to Růžová hora remained operational. The operators’ website states that cable cars on Sněžka can generally withstand wind speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour. Fortunately, the wind did not impact the operation of other cable cars in the Giant Mountains over the weekend.

Situated at 1603 meters above sea level, Sněžka boasts a unique climate among the Giant Mountains. Despite a reported temperature of around zero degrees Celsius at 6 pm on Sunday, the perceived temperature was significantly lower, dropping to approximately minus ten degrees Celsius due to the forceful winds. Earlier in the day, the temperature at Sněžka was around minus five degrees Celsius, with the wind chill factor making it feel even colder, reaching -15 °C.

In addition to the strong winds, snowfall was recorded on the ridges of the Giant Mountains. For instance, approximately 20 centimeters of snow accumulated at Luční bouda, located at a height of 1415 meters. This marks the first significant continuous layer of snow heralding the onset of winter in the foothills of the Giant Mountains. Despite meteorological predictions of the potential melting of the snow cover in the lower areas due to warming in the coming days, it is expected to persist in the highest elevations of the Giant Mountains.

Sněžka, with its distinctive three-sided pyramid shape, rises majestically above the Giant Mountain ridges. Despite not being extremely high, its climate is characterized as arctic and high-mountain, often deviating from the overall weather patterns in the Giant Mountains. The recent weather events underscore the challenges and unpredictability that can accompany the changing seasons in this unique geographical region.

Article by Prague Forum