Snow blankets Czech mountain peaks as rescuers urge hikers to bring winter gear

Czechia’s highest mountains woke to fresh snow Sunday, with Praděd reporting 15 centimeters and parts of the Krkonoše and Šumava receiving around 10 centimeters over the weekend.

More snow or mixed showers are expected at higher elevations during the first half of the coming week. Mountain rescuers in the Jeseníky are urging hikers to prepare for winter conditions, including slippery, compacted snow on popular paths.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) reported 12 centimeters at Luční bouda and 10 centimeters on Sněžka on Sunday morning. Malý Děd in the Jeseníky, Blatný vrch in Šumava and Labská bouda in the Krkonoše also had close to 10 centimeters.

“The mountain ridges woke to a white morning, as expected. Snow fell on all our highest mountains,” meteorologists said in their Sunday update.

Other mountain ranges received smaller amounts, generally just a few centimeters along their ridges.

At Praděd, which rises to 1,490 meters, the snowfall brought the first continuous snow cover recorded there this season, according to ČHMÚ. The Krkonoše ridges had already reported a few centimeters in recent days.

The institute’s weekly forecast predicts further snow or sleet, mostly above 900 meters. Overnight into Monday, the snow line could temporarily fall to around 600 meters, with several additional centimeters possible.

From Thursday, meteorologists do not currently expect significant precipitation, including in the mountains. Daytime temperatures across the country are forecast mostly between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius, with frost possible overnight.

In Jeseníky, mountain rescue dispatcher Martin Chalupa said snow cover generally began at around 1,000 meters. Lower elevations received rain.

Temperatures on Praděd fell to minus 2.2 degrees Sunday morning, while nearby Ovčárna was around 2 degrees above freezing.

Chalupa recommended sturdy, high-cut footwear, spare clothing, a hat and gloves. Hikers should also consider carrying slip-on traction aids, known in Czech as nesmeky, for sections where foot traffic has compressed the snow into a slippery surface.

Mountain rescuers also advise against taking the yellow-marked trail through the Bílá Opava valley during winter conditions.

The popular route includes ladders and exposed stretches above waterfalls. Its difficult terrain can make access complicated for rescue teams if a walker needs help.

For visitors planning an autumn mountain outing, the weekend snowfall means conditions on the ridges can now differ substantially from the rainy, snow-free paths farther down.