LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/1/01 NE winds during Wednesday have started to redistribute the recent fresh snow onto sheltered S, SW and W aspects above 950m. Most wind scoured snow slopes are now frozen and stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/1/01 Cold and dry conditions will prevail through out the forecast period. Localised areas of wind blown snow will be present, mainly on S, SW and W aspects above 950m. Older frozen snow will remain stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General snow level is around 800m. ICING: Remaining cold at all levels. COMMENT: Water ice and old frozen snow on many paths. Surface crust in some higher corries. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/1/01 Drifting on a fresh North East wind has accumulated isolated areas of fresh windslab on South East through South to North West aspects above 900 metres. These fresh accumulations are weakly to moderately bonded and sheltered gullies; hollows and lee slopes below cornices are particularly affected. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/1/01 With temperatures staying well below freezing and a light North East wind there will be little change to present snowpack conditions. Isolated areas of fresh weakly to moderately bonded windslab will persist on South East through South to North West aspects above 900 metres. Sheltered gullies, hollows and lee slopes below cornices will be particularly affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations still in Northerly gullies, good cover around summit levels. ICING: Good on certain Post Face and Inner Coire routes. COMMENT: Continuing to be spoilt by good weather! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/1/01 A melt freeze crust continues to form on the surface of much of the snowpack. This is generally improving snowpack stability. Isolated pockets of windslab are forming on South to West aspects and in sheltered areas. In summit gullies deep soft slab exists beneath the crust. Avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/1/01 Cold conditions with no significant new snow and moderate Northeasterly winds will not 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. Pockets of shallow windslab will remain on slopes with a South to West aspect and at the tops of sheltered gullies. These accumulations will not be deep or extensive The Avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 750m. ICING: Ice on rocks above 350m. COMMENT: Colder conditions are improving climbing conditions. Higher buttress routes are receiving ascents. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/1/01 There have been light snow showers over most of the area with slightly heavier accumulations up to 10 centimetres in some locations. In the light mainly N winds there has been some cornice build up on S aspects. These cornices are quite fragile. Snow transport for new slab development has been minimal. In field tests the new snow does not shear. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/1/01 Continuing cool with snow showers forecast for the period. There will be some settlement of the recent snow and not enough wind to create significant new slab. Cornices on E, S and W aspects will remain quite fragile. The deeper, older instability still exists in the continuing cool temperatures but will have very limited distribution. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Slowly improving; on and off piste there are some good turns to be found. ICING: There's new snow on all but the steepest ice. COMMENT: Looking like winter, gradual improvement all round. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/1/01 Snowfall combined with gusting winds has left new deposits on SE to W aspects above 950m. Here stability was marginal where softer snow overlies older harder snow. The avalanche hazard Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere stability on exposed slopes was good. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/1/01 Snow showers will add no great depth to the snowpack but softer areas on steeper slopes of SE to W aspects will remain suspect. Elsewhere slopes will be firm and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Higher plateau areas have a healthy covering, patchy under 900m. ICING: Improving but still variable. COMMENT: Glas Maol area is good for ski touring. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------