NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/1/01 There have been light snow amounts above 750 metres with some wind transport on light S winds to lower elevations. There is new soft slab now up to 40 centimetres thick and some cornice build up on N aspects. The snowpack is generally stable but cornices are not strong. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 1/2/01 Significant snow amounts will occur in the forecast period and more loading will occur on N aspect terrain with strong S winds. Avalanches are likely above 850 metres due to storm instability of the recent slab. The isolated pockets of deeper, older instability will be a consideration with the additional load. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some off piste skiing possible linking the patches in Coire an t-Sneachda. ICING: More ice on the plateau than on the climbs. COMMENT: The forecast new snow load and warming may be enough to trigger the sleeping giant of deeper instability. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/1/01 Areas of unstable snow are present, mainly on steep N, NE, E and SE aspects above 1000m. In sheltered gullies, this snow has formed as unstable soft slab. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 1/2/01 During Thursday, snow will gradually turn to rain at all levels by late afternoon. With the arrival of the milder conditions, snow stability will deteriorate. Avalanches will occur, mainly on steep N, NE, E and SE facing slopes and gullies. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 550m. ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits later on Thursday. COMMENT: Snow stability deteriorating during Thursday afternoon. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/1/01 Deep layered soft slab exists on sheltered slopes with a NW through to E aspect and in sheltered gullies above 550 metres. New snow overnight has added to existing deposits of weakly bonded windslab. These deposits are unstable where they have formed on steep scarp slopes with a North-West to East aspect and in steep sheltered gullies mainly above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 1/2/01 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. During the course of Thursday the snowpack will become highly unstable on steeper slopes where deep accumulations of soft layered slab exist, as milder conditions bring rain to all levels. North-West to East facing slopes and all sheltered gullies will be particularly affected and avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4 ). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 400m. ICING: Ice on paths and rocks above 400m. COMMENT: Hazard of falling rocks and ice. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/1/01 Consolidation of moderately bonded layers within the snowpack is slowly taking place but surface layers of slab continue to shear easily. Deepest amounts of slab are to be found mainly on NW through to SE aspects above 700 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Recently exposed hard slopes have softened slightly. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 1/2/01 Little will change overnight but during the day snow will fall in gale force winds. New accumulations will be found in sheltered locations on W through to E aspects with the deepest areas on NW to NE aspects. Above 700 metres new slab will load existing weakly bonded surface layers and avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Many cornices will become suspect. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 700 metres. ICING: Any interesting bits will probably be buried. COMMENT: Conditions on the hill will be poor with the arrival of blizzards. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/1/01 Light South-Easterly winds have started to build fresh deposits of unstable windslab at the tops of steep South-East to North- East facing slopes above 800 metres. Areas of pre-existing windslab on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres remain unstable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 1/2/01 After a quiet night the wind will strengthen during the day (Thursday) and veer from South-South-East to South-South- West. This will be accompanied by a moderate fall of snow, resulting in accumulations of very unstable windslab building on North-West through North to East facing slopes above 800 metres. Rising temperatures will eventually bring rain at all levels and a period of high instability in the snowpack later in the day. The avalanche hazard will rise to High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep cover above 600 metres. Good for ski touring but hard going on foot. ICING: Good on the Post Face and Inner Coire. Still a lot of soft snow around. COMMENT: Conditions set to deteriorate throughout Thursday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------