NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/1/01 New hard slab from 10-15 centimetres thick on East and West aspects above 850 metres has built on another soft layer: this shears easily on some low angle slopes but did not show extensive failure on larger terrain. The older instability still exists and the snowpack temperatures are still cold. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/1/01 The wind shift from East to North-East will add to the wide distribution of the new slab above 850 metres. Additional snow will increase the level of hazard. Avalanches are likely on aspects from South-West through North to East above 850 metres. The hard slab sitting on very soft layers will be readily identifiable on the indicated terrain. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light snow, mostly light winds and overall improvement. ICING: Most North aspect conditions are stalled in the ice cold age, some growth on Southerly aspect. COMMENT: The slab sandwich alternating hard and soft layers is becoming more complex. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/1/01 A trace of new snow overnight has not significantly affected the existing snowpack. Areas of hard windslab are present on sheltered steep slopes and the tops of gullies with a NW through NE to E aspect above 1000m. Shallow surface layers are weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/1/01 Light snow flurries with a NE airflow overnight and during Saturday are not expected to significantly affect the existing snowpack. Areas of hard windslab will remain on sheltered steep slopes and the tops of gullies with a NW through NE to E aspect above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain above 800m. ICING: Remaining cold at all levels. COMMENT: Ice on rocks and paths above 300m. Crampons and ice axe essential. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/1/01 Light accumulations of new snow exist above 600m. New shallow soft windslab has formed in sheltered areas on Westerly aspects this has not significantly altered the stability of the snowpack. Pockets of dense windslab remain in summit gullies and on NW to NE facing corrie headwalls. Shallow surface layers are weakly bonded and buried layers are potentially unstable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/1/01 Light flurries of new snow with fresh Northerly winds. Areas of soft slab will continue to form in sheltered locations: these accumulations are not expected to be extensive but will require caution. The old snowpack will remain generally stable with pockets of layered windslab in summit gullies and on NW to NE slopes above 800m. On steeper slopes the new surface layers of soft slab will be weakly bonded and unstable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) in these locations. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 500m. ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 200m. COMMENT: Good conditions on the higher routes. Becoming windy. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/1/01 Snowfall has left light accumulations on most aspects. Above 950 metres areas of newly formed soft slab exist in sheltered locations on NW to N aspects. In some locations these deposits overlie older areas of unstable faceted snow and moderately bonded windslab which can be found from 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/1/01 New snowfall will be light and conditions will remain much the same. Above 950 metres areas of unstable soft slab will be found in sheltered locations on mainly NW to N aspects. Recent surface instabilities and moderately bonded windslab will also persist in many locations from 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Greatest hazard will be found on gully exits and scarp slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable above 900m. ICING: Generally lean with a mix of quality. COMMENT: Most of Lochnagar buttresses are still holding fair amounts of snow. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/1/01 Once again, there has only been a light dusting of fresh snow, which fell in relatively calm conditions. This has meant there has been little change to the existing snowpack. A fragile sub surface layer of depth hoar has persisted in the cold conditions leaving isolated areas of weakly bonded hard slab on North- West through North-East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/1/01 Light snow showers on a moderate to fresh North East wind will have little affect on the existing snowpack. The continuing cold conditions will maintain the fragile sub surface layer of depth hoar leaving isolated areas of weakly bonded hard slab on North- West through North-East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. These areas are generally easily avoidable, but will shear readily if stood on. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. Excellent cover on the plateau. ICING: Good on the Post Face and in the Inner Coire. Pinnacle Buttress needs more although Ritchie's and Smith's gullies have seen ascents. COMMENT: Creag Meagaidh will be mobbed, arrive early to avoid disappointment! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------