NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 24/12/00 Moderate winds and additional snow in near continuous showers have produced a soft slab with up to 20 cm. of foot penetration. On larger terrain features this slab is mainly on South and West aspects. On smaller features it is also on East aspects above 900 metres. The slab fails very easily in all field tests. The surface hoar previously reported is evident at the failure plane. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 25/12/00 There will be additional snow and loading will continue from the North-East winds. The snow stability will be poor above 850 metres on South, West and East aspects. In some smaller terrain features the instability will be on North aspects also. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4), and avalanches will occur in the areas indicated. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow profile observations of the past few days show a high degree of variability. The surface hoar may now be covered by the new slab. ICING: Slow growth observed. COMMENT: Hasty pits will be a useful indicator of local stability conditions. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 24/12/00 Despite some light snow flurries, there are no significant fresh deposits. The snowpack remains frozen and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 25/12/00 Some very light snowfall is expected overnight and during Monday. Localised accumulations of fresh snow will be present, generally on sheltered S and W aspects above 600m. Elsewhere the old snowpack will remain frozen and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Old snow remaining frozen and stable. ICING: Large areas of water ice formed on paths and open slopes, even at low altitudes. COMMENT: Many easy grade gullies complete on the Ben. Parties seen in No2, No4 and Green Gully. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 24/12/00 Cold conditions at all levels have formed an icy crust on the surface of the snowpack. Light snow overnight has formed isolated shallow accumulations at the tops of sheltered gullies. The snowpack is generally well bonded and is stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 25/12/00 The North-Easterly airflow will continue to affect the area. Light snow showers will form accumulations of shallow windslab on South-East to North-West facing slopes and in sheltered areas such as gullies. These accumulations are not expected to be deep or extensive. The avalanche hazard will increase to Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy snow cover above 800m. Light snow expected on Monday. ICING: New ice forming on rocks and paths above 300m. COMMENT: Colder temperatures are improving conditions, but choices remain limited due to thin snow cover. Merry Christmas! SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 24/12/00 Snow showers have left a general covering above 600 metres. Deeper new deposits are to be found above 950 metres mainly on SE to W aspects. In sheltered locations on SE aspects up to 30cm of new snow has accumulated over older snow-ice and stability is marginal. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 25/12/00 New deposits will continue to form on SE through to W aspects at all levels. In sheltered locations above 950 metres accumulations will be moderately to weakly bonded where they overlie older snow ice. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover from 600mts, deeper patches from 950m. ICING: Limited ice around, most of it is on the footpaths, be warned! COMMENT: General winter appearance has improved. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 24/12/00 With the heaviest falls in the East, the Creag Meagaidh region has only had a light dusting of fresh snow down to 850 metres. Amounts of fresh snow on lee slopes of a South to West aspect are so shallow as not to constitute a hazard. This, coupled with very cold temperatures, has left the snowpack well bonded and stable on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 25/12/00 Snow showers on a strong North-East wind will build fresh accumulations of windslab on South to West aspects above 850 metres. These deposits will only constitute a hazard where they build on top of old existing snow in the deeper gullies and hollows. All other aspects will remain well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Gullies on North-West to North- East aspects hold the biggest deposits. ICING: Some ice remains on the Post Face and to a lesser extent in the Inner Coire. Pretty poor, really. COMMENT: The cold conditions may improve the climbing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------