NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/1/01 Strong Southerly winds gusting 100 mph, along with snow above 600 metres, have further added to unstable accumulations on Northerly aspects. Snow temperatures at lower levels have gone to zero, but the wet slab shears easily on underlying snow- ice. Above 800 metres, colder temperatures have maintained dry slab, which is extremely unstable. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/1/01 The Southerly airflow will become milder. Freezing levels rising to above the summits overnight will provoke a period of extreme instability. Large slab avalanches will run on the old depth hoar . Although a slow fall in temperature during daylight hours on Tuesday will bring some stabilisation, wet snow instability will persist. There will be some fresh snow and slab build-up on Northerly aspects. Avalanches will occur, particularly on crag aprons and scarp slopes of any aspect above 800 metres. Cornices will collapse. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Much erosion from plateau, Northern Corries filling. ICING: Should survive a brief thaw. COMMENT: Ferocious conditions on Cairngorm. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/1/01 Fresh snow and strong SE winds have further loaded sheltered locations with unstable snow. Greatest accumulations exist on sheltered W, NW and N aspects above 700m. Localised deposits also exist on sheltered locations on other aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/1/01 The freezing level is expected to rise above the summits overnight before becoming slightly cooler, with snow showers above 900m, on Tuesday. After a period of high instability overnight, the existing snowpack will gradually consolidate below 1100m. Fresh areas of windslab will form in sheltered locations during Tuesday. Areas of unstable snow will be present, mainly on W, NW, N and NE aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying above 500m on Monday. ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits overnight before lowering again on Tuesday. COMMENT: Winds expected to moderate slightly on Tuesday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/1/01 A strong moist SE airflow has brought new snow to all levels. Areas of deep soft slab have accumulated in many sheltered places but mainly on corrie headwalls facing WNW through to NE and also in sheltered summit gullies. These layered deposits are very weakly bonded particularly on steep scarp slopes above 750m and the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4) in these locations. Avalanche debris has been reported in the Glen today. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/1/01 A moist S/SE airflow will bring warmer temperatures to the area. As the freezing level rises to above the summits the snowpack will become saturated and unstable. The layers of soft slab that accumulated during Sunday and Monday on NW through to NE slopes and in sheltered summit gullies will be extremely unstable and avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Cornices will be prone collapse as temperatures rise. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snows above 300m. ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 250m. COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses are the safer option although gale force SE winds and rain at all levels is forecast for the period. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/1/01 Snow showers and heavy drifting have caused further accumulations of windslab to form on W through to NE aspects above 800 metres. Stability is poor and avalanche debris was noted on a Northerly aspect. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Cornices remain unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/1/01 Overnight the temperatures will rise above the summits providing the trigger for further avalanche activity. Avalanches will occur where recent windslab has formed on W through to NE aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Recently formed cornices will also be hazardous. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh wet snow is falling down to 600 metres with better cover from 850 metres. ICING: Generally lean with variable quality. COMMENT: Careful terrain choice required for safe travel. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/1/01 Fresh snow on a gale force South East wind has caused deep accumulations of unstable windslab to form on sheltered lee slopes of a North West through North to North East aspect above 850 metres. No avalanches were seen due to very poor visibility, but a slope of a North West aspect fractured horizontally for over 30 metres when approached by observer. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/1/01 Further light snow showers and drifting of existing snow on a strong Southerly wind will continue to load windslab onto North West through North to North East aspects above 900 metres. With the freezing level hovering around the summits there will be some consolidation at lower levels. Fresh cornices will be weakened in the milder conditions. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches are likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. Fresh snow lying down to 500 metres. ICING: Good on the Post face and in the Inner Coire. Thinner on Pinnacle Buttress. Base of climbs wetter in the milder conditions. COMMENT: A return to full Scottish winter conditions. I feel at home again! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------