NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/1/01 Snow showers with strong SSE winds have created areas of fresh windslab on all Northerly aspects above 600 metres. Very easy shears were obtained on the underlying snow-ice and also within the new slab layers themselves. The old depth hoar and buried surface hoar still maintain deep-seated weaknesses at higher altitudes, evidenced by recent debris on NE to SE aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/1/01 Further snow on severe gale force SSE winds will create additional loading on already weakly bonded slab layers. All slope aspects above 700 metres will be affected. Fresh cornices will form above Northerly aspects. Existing deep-seated weaknesses will remain. Avalanches will occur, with long run- out possible. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The Northern Corries are now seeing significant accumulation. New snow from 600m. ICING: Improved conditions noted in Loch Avon basin. COMMENT: A "toxic situation", as the French would say. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/1/01 A strong SE airflow with snow overnight and during Sunday morning has formed accumulations of weakly bonded soft slab in many sheltered locations. Greatest deposits are on steep slopes and hollows, corrie headwalls and the tops of gullies with a W through to NE aspect. Other sheltered aspects are also affected due to crossloading and variable corrie winds. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/1/01 Little change will occur in the existing snowpack overnight. However, as winds and snowfall increase into Monday further fresh deposits of weakly bonded soft slab will continue to form in many sheltered locations. Greatest deposits will be on steep slopes and hollows, corrie headwalls and the tops of gullies with a W through to NE aspect. As temperatures rise, with snow turning to rain during Monday, the snowpack will become increasingly unstable and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels on Sunday. ICING: Large areas of water ice on many paths at all levels. COMMENT: Caution advised, particularly in popular areas such as the Red burn and easier gullies on the Ben. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/1/01 A strong SE airflow has brought new snow to all levels. Areas of deep soft slab have accumulated on corrie headwalls facing NW through to NE and in sheltered summit gullies. These layered deposits are very weakly bonded particularly on steep scarp slopes: avalanche accident on a NE facing slope at 850 metres, Buachaille Etive Mor. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/1/01 Cold conditions with snow showers overnight will be followed by heavier snow and soaring temperatures during Monday. Further layers of soft slab will accumulate on NW through to NE corrie headwalls and in sheltered summit gullies. As temperatures rise these deposits will become extremely unstable and avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Cornices will collapse as temperatures rise. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 200m. ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 250m. COMMENT: Ridges the safer option although gale force SE forecast. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/1/01 Snow showers and strong winds have formed accumulations in sheltered areas on W through to NE aspects. Where accumulations developed over existing snow stability was very poor: avalanche activity and avalanche incident noted on N aspects at 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Newly formed cornices are highly unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/1/01 Further snow showers and storm force winds will continue the build up of unstable slab in sheltered locations on W through to NE aspects. Above 800 metres the snowpack will be weakly bonded and avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Recently formed cornices will continue to be suspect. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow down to 650m with better cover from 850m. ICING: Generally lean with a mix of quality. COMMENT: Some careful terrain choices required for safe travel. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/1/01 Overnight snow showers on a South-East wind have caused accumulations of unstable windslab to form on the most sheltered slopes and hollows on North-West through North to North-East aspects above 850 metres. This fresh windslab has formed on top of existing weak layers consisting of facets and depth hoar and shears easily under test. Fresh unstable cornices have formed. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/1/01 Snowfall and severe storm force South-Easterly winds will continue to load windslab onto underlying fragile layers of facets and depth hoar on sheltered lee slopes of a North-West through North to North-East aspect above 850 metres. Steep, scarp slopes beneath cornices will be particularly hazardous. Cornices will grow rapidly in the high winds. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. Less than 1cm of fresh snow at Aberarder. ICING: Good on the Post Face and in the Inner Coire. Thinner on Pinnacle Buttress. COMMENT: Poor mountain conditions expected. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------