NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 15/1/01 Strong Southerly winds have continued to transport snow from Braemar. There have been mostly clear skies with no new precipitation. Both air and snowpack temperatures remain cool. Avalanche activity was noted this morning on a NNW aspect in Coire an t- Sneachda. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 16/1/01 Cool temperatures, no new precipitation and continued moderate to strong winds from the South and South-West are forecast for the period. There is still the persistent weakness in the snowpack and continued snow transport forming new slab that contribute to poor snow stability. This will mean avalanches are likely above 850 metres on West, North and East aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The plateau still holding snow cover, just. ICING: While it stays cold there is little opportunity for change. COMMENT: Avalanches reported in five corries in the past four days. This is a trend worth watching. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 15/1/01 Areas of hard slab are present, mainly on steep N, NE and E facing slopes and gullies above 1000m. Strong Southerly winds are forming fresh slab on sheltered NW, N and NE aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 16/1/01 Cold and dry conditions, with a strong SE airflow will affect the area over the next 24 hours. Areas of hard slab will remain, mainly on steep N, NE and E aspects above 1000m. Fresh slab will continue to form on sheltered NW, N and NE aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain above 800m. ICING: Remaining cold at all levels. COMMENT: Water ice and old frozen snow present on many paths, even at lower altitudes. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 15/1/01 Strong Southerly winds have re-distributed snow on to more sheltered Northerly aspects. Pockets of dense layered windslab exist on NW through to NE corrie headwalls, summit slopes and in summit gullies. Where unstable windslab exists the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack is firm and generaly stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 16/1/01 The strong Southerly airflow will continue to transport snow on to more sheltered Northerly slopes. Further layers of dense windslab will accumulate in pockets on NW to NE facing corrie headwalls, summit slopes and sheltered gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Exposed Southerly slopes will contain firm wind crusted snow. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 750m. ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 200m. COMMENT: Routes such as Scabbard Chimney, Double Entendre, Innuendo, Dorsal Arete, Pearly Gates receiving ascents. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 15/1/01 Newly formed areas of windslab are to be found in sheltered locations on many aspects above 850 metres. These are generally shallow but deeper areas are to be found on NW through to NE aspects above 900 metres. Stability is poor where deposits overlie existing snow, which already is unstable from facet development. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 16/1/01 There will be little change to the current situation. Recently formed windslab will overlie faceted snow and stability will be marginal. Deeper areas will be found on NW through to NE aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Recently formed cornices will also be suspect. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Winds have moved some snow around but cover remains good above 900m. ICING: Remains poor build up on mountain routes. COMMENT: Careful route finding required on some aspects. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 15/1/01 Drifting of existing snow on a moderate Southerly wind has continued to build isolated areas of highly unstable windslab in the most sheltered gullies and hollows of a North-West through North-East to South-East aspect above 800 metres. Windslab has formed over a layer of surface hoar, which is a very efficient sliding surface, small slab avalanches were easily triggered today (15/1/01) on a North-Easterly aspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 16/1/01 Remaining cold and clear. A strong South-East wind will slowly continue to build isolated areas of highly unstable windslab on North-West to North-East aspects above 800 metres. Later in the forecast period South-West to West aspects above 800 metres will also be affected as isolated fresh windslab deposits build on weakly bonded subsurface layers of depth hoar. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). 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: The sun continues to shine in Creag Meagaidh but the crowds have gone home. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------