NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 30/1/01 There is new slab mostly about 20 cm thick on East and North aspects above 850 metres. This slab shears with a moderate additional load on the crust and facet sandwich still evident at the profile site. The location of the facets appears to be more isolated but probing over some areas still shows distinct hard layers over the soft facets. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 31/1/01 There will be little change in the surface load with a few light snow showers above 850 metres and light South-East winds. It will still be North and East aspects that have the significant new load. Some cornice development noted above Northern Corries routes. In the continued cooler temperatures there will also be little change in the strength of the deeper snowpack. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some new snow around but not enough to change off piste skiing conditions significantly. Some excellent on piste conditions. ICING: Still lean, not much change COMMENT: Lots of Tuesday climbers in Sneachda, a pleasant Cairngorms afternoon. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 30/1/01 A SW to SE airflow with light snow showers overnight and during Tuesday have formed shallow deposits of weakly bonded soft windslab in sheltered locations. Fresh areas have formed on NW aspects, adding to remaining unstable deposits present on N through to SE aspects above 800 metres. Sheltered scarp slopes, hollows and gullies are particularly affected. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices present above these aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 31/1/01 Continuing S to SE winds with snow showers during the forecast period will continue to form areas of weakly bonded soft windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on NW through E to SE aspects above 800 metres where avalanches are likely. Sheltered scarp slopes, gullies and hollows will be particularly affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh light snow above 600m. ICING: Freezing above 900m on Wednesday. COMMENT: Caution still advised with approaches and exits of routes. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 30/1/01 Deep layered soft slab exists on sheltered slopes with a NW through to E aspect above 550 metres. New snow and fresh Southeasterly winds have added to existing deposits of weakly bonded windslab. These deposits are unstable where they have formed on steep scarp slopes with a Northwest to East aspect and in steep sheltered gullies mainly above 800 metres. Under shear test top layers of windslab continue to fail very easily. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 31/1/01 New snow and fresh Southerly winds will continue to add further layers of windslab to slopes with a North-West to East aspect and to sheltered areas such as summit gullies mainly above 800 metres. Where this windslab lies on steeper slopes bonding will be poor to the underlying layers. Below 800 metres rain and drizzle will bring a period of higher instability overnight as the snowpack becomes moist weakening deeper layers. Stability on the lower slopes will gradually improve during the course of the day. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 400m. ICING: Ice on paths and rocks above 400m. COMMENT: A cover of snow exists on many ridges and buttresses; these are by far the safer option. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 30/1/01 A trace of fresh snow has had little effect on the current situation. Some consolidation is taking place but where deeper deposits of soft windslab exist moderately to weakly bonded layers are to be found within the snowpack. NW through to SE aspects above 700 metres hold the greatest amounts but other sheltered locations are also affected. Surface layers remain weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 31/1/01 A trace of fresh snow is forecast for the period. Existing areas of moderately to weakly bonded windslab will remain a hazard. Windslab exists on NW through to SE aspects and other sheltered locations above 700 metres. Deeper deposits are to be found on scarp slopes, gully exits and similar features. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). Exposed slopes are firm and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 700 metres. ICING: Generally lean and requires some clearing. COMMENT: Ski touring remains good. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 30/1/01 A moderate amount of snow has fallen throughout the day but mountain conditions have remained calm and quiet and no fresh drifting has occurred. The existing deep deposits of soft, unstable slab persist on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 31/1/01 Moderate South-Easterly winds will cause some drifting of the fresh snow and windslab will build on North-West to North-East facing slopes above 800 metres. Areas of deep, weakly bonded soft slab will remain on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 600 metres, soft powder on a reasonable base (honest!). ICING: Ice remains good on the Post Face and Inner Coire, but the deep snow around has not yet consolidated. COMMENT: Excellent snow for skiing - shame about the total whiteout. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------