SHMU: Strong Gale Up to Hurricane Hit Ridges of Highest Slovak Mountains

Bratislava, December 24 (TASR) - Strong winds are reported in most regions of Slovakia on Christmas Eve, with strong gale or even a hurricane hitting the ridges of the highest Slovak mountains, the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) has posted on its website. "At lower altitudes, gusts of wind are reaching speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour, while the wind is even stronger in the mountains. The strongest wind is currently blowing at the Mountain Rescue Service station on Krizna hill, with the average wind velocity reaching the strength of a gale, or even a hurricane in some terms," wrote SHMU. SHMU has issued a second-degree wind alert for mountain areas, as well as for districts in the south-eastern Slovakia. The alert is in place until night hours on Christmas Eve. Warnings against strong winds are in place for most of Slovakia on Tuesday. ko