NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 23/1/01 Mixed rain and snow at 1000 metres and strong Southerly winds have contributed to very dense new slab on North aspects. This slab is 1 metre thick where sampled and shears easily on the snow-ice. The warmth and energy of the wind have significantly warmed the snowpack. Large slab avalanche debris was noted on a West aspect, other loose snow avalanche activity was reported on North aspect. `Whoomphing' also heard at lower elevations. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 24/1/01 Moderate snow amounts, slight cooling and a wind shift from South-East to West will be the main influences for the forecast period. Pockets of the old instability will still exist but the more widespread avalanches will occur due new slab on aspects from East through North-West to North above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Rain soaked to all but the highest elevations; limited observations on the plateau. ICING: Everyone said it needed a melt freeze cycle, here it is. COMMENT: Some avalanche activity comparable to the `black' winter of 1994-95 and like the fat lady said "it ain't over till it's over". LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 23/1/01 Wet snow instabilities are present, mainly on steep W, NW and N aspects below 1000m. Above 1000m, areas of fresh unstable windslab have formed, mainly on sheltered NW, N and NE aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 24/1/01 Further windslab development will occur overnight due to heavy snow and strong SE winds. Greatest accumulations will be on W, NW, N and sheltered NE aspects above 1000m. During Wednesday, a SW airflow will redistribute windslab on to N, NE and E aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) with avalanches likely in the above mentioned locations. Fresh unstable cornices will form above lee slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow below about 1000m. ICING: Freezing level lowering again to 900m on Wednesday. Water ice still present on many paths. COMMENT: Unstable windslab forming at the tops of many climbs later on Wednesday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 23/1/01 A strong moist variable Southerly airflow has brought new snow above 850 metres. Below this level the snowpack as undergone a rapid thaw leading to instabilites on steeper slopes. Above 850 metres 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 850 metres. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Avalanche debris has been noted in the Glen today. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 24/1/01 Strong Southerly winds will bring further heavy snow showers during Tuesday night and through Wednesday. Layers of soft slab will continue to accumulate on NW through to NE slopes and in all sheltered gullies above 700 metres. New accumulations of snow and windslab will be weakly bonded and unstable avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snows above 850m. ICING: Wet ice on rocks and paths above 750m. COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses are the safer option. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 23/1/01 Rain and warmer temperatures have led to surface snow becoming moist with water penetration reaching 30cm at 900 metres. Deeper within the snowpack consolidation is slower and stability has not improved at the same weak layer that is causing current avalanche activity. An 80 metre wide crown wall was noted on a NE aspect. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Cornices were easily triggered. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 24/1/01 With a return to cooler temperatures and some snow throughout the period there will be a combination of existing weakly bonded snow and new unstable developments on W through to SE aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. New cornices will be suspect. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable cover of wet snow on sheltered slopes from 700 metres. ICING: Generally subject to thaw conditions. COMMENT: Careful terrain choice required for safe travel. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 23/1/01 Milder conditions have helped to consolidate the snowpack below 900 metres, with moderately well bonded soft and hard slab on all aspects. Above 900 metres however, colder and drier existing snow is drifting heavily on a strong South-South-East wind causing windslab to form on lee slopes and under cornices on North West through North to North-East aspects. The avalanche hazard remains Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 24/1/01 Overnight, heavy snowfall on a gale force South-East wind will continue to load unstable windslab on to lee slopes and under cornices on North-West through North to North-East aspects above 900 metres. Winds will swing to the South-West during the day causing windslab to affect Easterly aspects as well. Moderately well bonded soft and hard 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: Today's (23.01.01) milder conditions have had little effect on the acres of superb green ice on the Post Face and Inner Coire. COMMENT: Lots of ice and nobody else to be seen. Heaven! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------