NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 31/12/00 Winds rising and backing Southerly have caused extensive drifting in the area, resulting in substantial new accumulations as low as 650 metres. The new slab exhibits very poor stability and weaknesses are no longer confined to areas where old snow-ice underlies. Due to very variable recent winds, most slope aspects are now affected. Very late in the period, heavy snowfall has started at all levels. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 1/1/01 The new snowfall will die out overnight, but will be followed by a rise in temperature, with freezing levels above the summits. This will lead to a period of extreme instability of old and new snow deposits. Avalanches will occur on slopes of all aspects and although most of this activity will occur above 800 metres, some slopes at lower altitudes may be affected. Slope angles as low as 25 degrees may be hazardous and runouts may be long. Although the period of highest instability may occur overnight, the hazard is likely to persist through the day. High (Category 4) avalanche hazard. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover from 350 metres. ICING: Will be affected by the thaw. COMMENT: Difficult to imagine a less favourable avalanche situation. Happy New Year. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 31/12/00 Stronger winds and fresh snow have formed fresh areas of unstable snow during Sunday. Localised areas of windslab exist in many locations, notably on aspects between W and NE. Old wind scoured snow remains frozen and stable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 1/1/01 Overnight and during Monday, a thaw at all levels will replace the current cold conditions. Existing areas of windslab will thaw and become unstable. Wet snow avalanches will occur, mainly on steep W, NW, N and NE aspects. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Old snow will remain stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Expected to thaw at all levels. ICING: Water ice remaining on paths and open slopes until the thaw becomes established. COMMENT: Climbing conditions deteriorating. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 31/12/00 New snow and strengthening Southerly winds are forming areas of weakly bonded windslab on many slopes. Greatest accumulations are to be found on slopes with a Northwest through to East aspect and in all sheltered gullies and hollows.These deeper accumulations are weakly bonded to the underlying snow ice. Avalanche hazard Considerable (Category 3) increasing later in day. Fresh cornices are forming above Northwest to East slopes and gullies AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 1/1/01 Avalanches will occur today. Avalanche hazard High (Category 4). Deep accumulations of fresh slab will become highly unstable as temperatures rise and light rain affects the area. All sheltered gullies and many slopes with a Northwest through to Easterly aspect have deep accumulations of fresh slab and in many cases have weak cornice formations above them. Natural avalanches will occur with possibility of run out onto approach paths. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels. ICING: Ice on paths and rocks above 200m. COMMENT: New snow deposits will become very unstable as milder conditions affect the area. Carefull route planning required. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 31/12/00 Deeper areas of windslab exist mainly on SE aspects but increasing winds are redepositing snow onto sheltered locations on NW to NE aspects. Stability of any deeper deposits were suspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 1/1/01 Development of new unstable accumulations will continue from snowfall and drifting mainly on W to NE aspects. Some existing slab will remain in sheltered locations on E and SE aspects. Stability of these deeper accumulations will be affected by a rise in freezing levels and on steeper slopes avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remains generally thin. ICING: Variable in quality and will be subject to thaw. COMMENT: Freezing levels will be above summits. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 31/12/00 During the morning there was little change to the snow conditions. However this afternoon, snowfall has steadily been increasing on a fresh South East wind causing isolated pockets of unstable windslab to form on top of old existing snow on North West to North East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 1/1/01 Snowfall on a strong South South West wind will continue for a time, before dying out before morning. This will add to existing unstable windslab areas on North West to North East aspects above 800 metres. Although the snowpack will remain relatively sparse, where these unstable windslab deposits form on top of old frozen snow in the deeper gullies and hollows, the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still sparse. Northerly gullies hold the biggest areas. Fresh snow falling at all levels at time of writing. ICING: There's thin ice on the Post Face and in the Inner Coire. COMMENT: Not looking that brilliant for New Years Day, so you may as well have fun tonight! Happy Hogmanay! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------