NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/12/00 A cold, dry day with only light winds has brought about little change to the snowpack. Main recent accumulations are on East and South aspects above 1000 metres, although localised fresh deposits exist on other aspects, including some North facing gullies. Scarp slopes and plateau rims are most affected and soft surface slab in these areas showed very poor adhesion to underlying snow-ice, due partly to a buried layer of old surface hoar. Very strong temperature gradients are present in the snowpack. Although slab deposits are very localised, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/12/00 Snow showers on light North-East to East winds will add some additional loading to existing unstable deposits on mainly South-East to Westerly aspects. Localised deposits will exist on other aspects. Gully tops, plateau rims and scarp slopes will again be most affected, particularly above 900 metres. Any slab overlying old snow-ice should be treated with great caution. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Sparse cover of old snow above 850m. Fresh build-up mainly above 1000m. Plateau cover improved, but rocky for ski-touring. ICING: Improving; some pitches in Northern Corries. COMMENT: Not as much snow as the North-West, but the best snow cover in the 5 SAIS areas. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/12/00 Despite some very light snow showers during today, there are no significant fresh snow deposits. The old snow remains hard frozen and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/12/00 Snow showers are expected overnight and during Thursday. Accumulations of fresh snow will start to form in areas sheltered from the E to NE winds. Greatest accumulations will be on SW and W aspects above 600m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Where the old snow is still exposed, it will be frozen and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Old snow remaining frozen and stable. Best cover in high N and E facing corries. ICING: Large areas of water ice formed on paths and open slopes. Freezing at sea level COMMENT: Climbing limited to easier gullies and routes high on the Ben. Remaining cold. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/12/00 The cold conditions have persisted with a frost at all levels. A dusting of new snow overnight has deposited isolated pockets of very shallow soft slab in sheltered gullies mainly above 950m. This afternoon has seen snow showers at all levels. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/12/00 The cold north easterly airflow will continue bringing snow showers to all levels. Windslab will accumulate on South-West to North-West facing slopes and in any sheltered summit gullies. Where windslab overlies firm snow-ice the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow at all levels. ICING: Ice forming on rocks and paths above 200m. COMMENT: Crampons and axe essential as new snow hides water ice on corrie paths and old snow remains very firm. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/12/00 There remains a thin cover of dry light snow on most aspects above 700 metres. On SE to SW aspects above 950 metres deeper accumulations can be found. The pit site at Beinn A Bhuird had around 80cm of dry snow on a hard base and had a number of easy shears in it. Surface hoar was noted in many locations out of the wind. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/12/00 Snow showers will add some deposits on SE to SW aspects. Deeper areas of cold dry slab above 950 metres will continue to be poorly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remains thin on most aspects. ICING: Watercourses are freezing well, although a mix of quality can still be expected. COMMENT: Buttresses still have limited choice of routes. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/12/00 There have been no further deposits of fresh snow overnight. However shallow and isolated patches of soft slab are still present on South-West to South-East aspects above 900 metres, these are not deep enough to present a hazard. Elsewhere the snowpack remains stable and well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/12/00 Snow on a light North-East wind will build fresh deposits of soft slab on South through West to North-West aspects above 850 metres. Sheltered gullies and hollows will be particularly affected especially where the fresh slab builds on the remaining old snow deposits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A dusting above 850 metres. Northerly gullies hold greatest accumulations. ICING: Summit temperature of minus 8 (27.12.00). Ice evident on post face routes. COMMENT: A great day to be on the tops!. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------