NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 9/1/01 There have been a few centimetres of new snow above 700 metres and very light winds so the distribution is quite even by aspect. The profile site on a North aspect at 1000 metres showed a reasonably stable snowpack with no sign of the surface hoar or facets at depth. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 10/1/01 Cool temperatures, light winds and trace amounts of snow will see little change in snow stability. The newest surface layer will settle and bond. It is not showing a tendency to shear as slab right now. Only in a few very isolated, steep locations above 1000 metres on NE to SE aspect will the old instability persist. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Pick the right site and there are a few good quality short slopes for for skiing off-piste. ICING: Slow growth on existing ice, little new. COMMENT: Around boulders and thin snow areas above 1100 metres there are interesting faceted forms of snow to look at. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 9/1/01 Cold conditions with light snow overnight and during Tuesday have had little effect on the existing snowpack. Isolated areas of soft slab are weakly bonded to a thin crust layer, notably at the tops of gullies, crag aprons and scarp slopes. Greatest accumulations are on sheltered N, NE and E aspects above 900m,. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 10/1/01 Continuing cold conditions for the forecast period will see little change in the existing snowpack. Isolated areas of weakly bonded windslab will be remain on sheltered N, NE and E aspects above 900m, notably the tops of gullies, crag aprons and scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Wind blown slopes will generally be hard frozen and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations above 800m ICING: Limited but improving in colder conditions. COMMENT: Lower level ice forming on the Ben, The Curtain's still not complete though, still limited elsewhere. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 9/1/01 A melt-freeze crust continues to form on the surface of much of the snowpack. This is generally improving snowpack stability. At higher levels steep temperature gradients were noted within the upper layers of the snowpack. Under shear test these proved to be moderately well bonded. On North to South-East facing corrie headwalls and in summit gullies deep soft slab exists beneath the crust. Avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 10/1/01 Cold conditions with no new snow and strengthening North-Easterly winds will not significantly alter the general stability of the snowpack. A surface crust will continue to form in most locations. In sheltered areas such as gullies deep soft accumulations of snow will remain beneath the crust. Wind transportation will form pockets of shallow windslab on slopes with a South to West aspect and at the tops of sheltered gullies. These accumulations are not expected to be deep or extensive The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 750m. ICING: Ice on rocks above 500m. COMMENT: Colder conditions are improving climbing conditions. Higher buttress routes are receiving ascents. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 9/1/01 Cold and calm conditions have prevailed during the period allowing surface hoar to develop in many sheltered locations. The snowpack is mostly well bonded with only a few areas of moderate stability remaining. These are to be found on steeper slopes above 950 metres on mainly N aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 10/1/01 Light snow showers will have little effect on the general situation with the snowpack remaining mostly well bonded. A few areas of moderate stability will persist on steeper slopes above 950 metres on mainly N aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy below 900m with reasonable cover on high plateau areas. ICING: Generally improving but expect variable quality. COMMENT: Firm consolidated snow has made travel easier but ice axe and crampons are essential. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 9/1/01 Very calm, cold and clear mountain conditions have had little effect on present snowpack distribution. Moderately bonded windslab exists on North-East through East to South aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Large cornices remain predominantly on Easterly aspects, but have begun to stabilise in colder temperatures. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 10/1/01 Light snow on a fresh North-East wind will form fresh windslab on South-East through South to North-West aspects above 850 metres: these accumulations will be deepest on South-East to South aspects where existing deposits of windslab exist. Fresh windslab deposits will be moderately to weakly bonded due to the existence of an icy crust on the surface of present snowpack. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow level at 800 metres, main accumulations in Northerly facing gullies. ICING: Still good on certain Post Face and Inner Coire routes. COMMENT: A fabulous day to be out and about! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------