LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 13/1/01 Localised areas of hard windslab are present, mainly on steep N, NE and E facing summit slopes and gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/1/01 Cold, dry conditions are expected during the forecast period. Localised areas of hard windslab will remain, mainly on steep N, NE and E facing summit slopes and gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main snow accumulations above 800m. ICING: Freezing at all levels. COMMENT: Crampons essential. Water ice and old frozen snow present even at lower levels. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 13/1/01 Surface hoar and a melt freeze crust continues to form on the surface of the snowpack. Low temperatures have produced a small air space beneath the icy crust where this exists the shallow surface layers are unstable. Isolated pockets of windslab are forming on W through to N aspects and in sheltered areas. In summit gullies shallow soft slab exists beneath the crust. Avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) where these conditions prevail. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/1/01 Cold conditions with no significant new snow with fresh southerly winds this will not alter the general stability of the snowpack. Surface hoar and crust will continue to form in most locations. Isolated pockets of shallow windslab will remain on slopes with a W through to N aspect and at the tops of sheltered gullies. The wind will continue to re-distribute snow to northerly aspects. These accumulations are not expected to 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 SAT 13/1/01 It was another cold, clear day but the winds picked up from the South and West, up to 35 miles per hour. This transported significant amounts of snow to form new slab on North and East aspects above 750 metres. An avalanche was noted on the North aspect of Coire Cas headwall at 1100 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/1/01 Winds are forecast to remain from the South however local loading will be on West and East aspects as well as North. Some warming, also in the forecast, will reduce the stability of the surface slab. The slab is widely distributed above 750 metres with transition zones on slopes of similar aspect alternating from new slab to scoured wind crust. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The wind has filled in some areas and scoured others. ICING: Not much change, maybe 30% of normal. COMMENT: Still some textbook samples of facets and surface hoar available for observation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 13/1/01 It has remained cold with no further snowfall. However moderate South South West winds have caused drifting of existing snow to form isolated patches of highly unstable windslab in the most sheltered hollows and gullies on North West through North East to South East aspects above 900 metres. Observers easily triggered a small slab. Slopes of other aspects and below 900 metres are covered with moderately well bonded soft slab. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/1/01 Strong Southerly winds will continue to build highly unstable windslab in the most sheltered gullies and hollows on North West through North East to East facing slopes above 900 metres. Scarp slopes beneath cornices will be particularly affected. Moderately well bonded soft slab will persist on all other aspects and below 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. ICING: Good on the Post Face and in the Inner Coire. Pinnacle Buttress needs more. COMMENT: It's the busiest I've ever seen Creag Meagaidh. Beware of traffic jams, queues and route rage! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 13/1/01 Wind transportation was limited due to a thin melt freeze crust but there are new soft slab developments on N aspects. These are generally shallow but overlie a harder crust. Facet development continues, as has widespread surface hoar. Moderately bonded snow is to be found on most aspects above 900 metres with greatest hazard being on gully exits. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/1/01 Conditions will stay much the same. Areas of moderately bonded snow will remain on most aspects above 900 metres. Facet development will continue to weaken the snowpack in many places. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good above 900 metres. Excellent on plateau areas. Too much on buttresses! ICING: Watercourses are best although quality is variable. COMMENT: Plenty skiers enjoying alpine conditions on Glas Maol plateau today (13/1/01). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------