Editing Tatra Mountains (section)

==Climate==
[[File:Kościelec view 6.jpg|thumb|Snow covered Tatras in May 2019.]]

The Tatras lie in the [[temperate zone]] of [[Central Europe]]. They are an important barrier to the movements of air masses. Their mountainous topography causes one of the most diverse climates in that region.

===Precipitation===
The highest [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] figures are recorded on the northern slopes. In June and July, monthly precipitation reaches around {{cvt|250|mm|0}}. Precipitation occurs from 215 to 228 days a year. [[Thunderstorm]]s occur 36 days a year on average.<ref>{{Cite book |last=USA |first=IBP |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jTv_CwAAQBAJ&q=tatra+mountains+Thunderstorms+occur+36+days+a+year+on+average.&pg=PA39 |title=Slovakia Country Study Guide Volume 1 Strategic Information and Developments |date=3 March 2012 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-4387-7555-5 |language=en }}</ref>

===Snow cover===
Maximum snow cover on the summit amounts to:
* in Poland - [[Kasprowy Wierch]]: maximum {{cvt|388|cm|0}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wysokogórskie Obserwatorium Meteorologizne IMGW-PIB |url=https://www.pkl.pl/post/kasprowy-wierch/atrakcje/wysokogorskie-obserwatorium-meteorologiczne-imgw-pib-na-kasprowym-wierchu.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325182113/https://www.pkl.pl/post/kasprowy-wierch/atrakcje-kopia/wysokogorskie-obserwatorium-meteorologiczne-imgw-pib-kopia.html |archive-date=25 March 2019 |access-date=5 December 2023 |website=PKL }}</ref>
* in Slovakia - [[Lomnický štít|Lomnický Štít]]: mean maximum of {{cvt|204|cm|0}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vojtek |first=Martin |date=31 July 2010 |title=The dynamics of snow cover in mountainous regions of Slovakia |url=https://vojtex.snailnet.sk/PhD/vojtek_PhD2010_cor.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205175343/https://vojtex.snailnet.sk/PhD/vojtek_PhD2010_cor.pdf |archive-date=5 December 2023 |access-date=5 December 2023 |page=76 }}</ref>
Peaks are sometimes covered with snow or ice throughout the year. Avalanches are frequent.

===Temperature===
Extreme temperatures range from {{cvt|-40|°C|0}} in the winter to {{cvt|33|°C|0}} in warmer months. Temperatures also vary depending on the altitude and sun exposure of a given slope. Temperatures below {{cvt|0|°C|0}} last for 192 days on the summits.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Slovakia Republic Country: Strategic Information and Developments |publisher=International Business Publications USA |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-4387-7555-5 |location=United States |pages=38 }}</ref>

===Winds===
[[File:tatra storm.jpg|thumb|Visible effects of the 2004 storm in Slovakia]]
The average wind speed on the summits is 6&nbsp;m/s (13.4&nbsp;mi/hr).
* southerly winds on the northern side
* westerly winds at the base of Tatra ([[Orava-Nowy Targ Basin]])
* [[foehn winds]] (Polish: [[halny]]) most often occur between October and May. They are warm and dry and can cause extensive damage.
* Maximum wind speed {{cvt|288|km/h|0}} (6 May 1968).<ref name=tpn1>{{cite web |url=http://www.tpn.pl/pl/klimat/news/102/Wiatr-halny |title=Wiatr halny |author=Igor J. Zaleski |author2=Tomasz Mączka |website=Tatrzański Park Narodowy |language=pl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109105526/http://tpn.pl/pl/klimat/news/102/Wiatr-halny |archive-date=9 January 2011 }}</ref>

On 19 November 2004, large parts of the forests in the southern Slovak part of the High Tatras were damaged by a strong [[wind storm]].<ref name=tpn1 /> Three million cubic metres (1,864 square miles) of trees were uprooted, two people died, and several villages were totally cut off. Further damage was done by a subsequent [[forest fire]], and it will take many years until the local [[natural environment|ecology]] is fully recovered.<ref>{{cite book |last1=USA |first1=IBP |title=Slovakia Country Study Guide Volume 1 Strategic Information and Developments |date=3 March 2012 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-4387-7555-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jTv_CwAAQBAJ&q=tetra+mountain+Three+million+cubic+metres |language=en }}</ref>