NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 4/2/01 Strong winds from the East and heavy snowfall have contributed to a major redistribution of the snowpack. Limited visibility reduced the opportunity to observe avalanche activity. The most recent slab where tested on a West aspect at 940 metres showed very poor stability. In some lee locations the foot penetration is nearly half a metre. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 5/2/01 This major winter storm will continue with heavy snow, cold temperatures and strong East winds. Avalanches will occur due to cornice failure and the poor stability slab. The main aspect of concern will be Westerly: scarp slopes and gully heads on other aspects may also be affected. The instability will exist at low elevations on steep ground to 600 metres. Avalanches starting from above 800 metres will also run to low elevations. Slab instability will also exist on SW to NW aspects. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some deep foot penetration at low elevations, heavily scoured areas on East aspects and unknown on the plateau due to storm conditions. ICING: In continued snowfall, large spindrift avalanches will be expected on ice route terrain. COMMENT: Very limited options without excellent local knowledge. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 4/2/01 Strong to gale force SE winds during the forecast period have formed areas of dense layered windslab in sheltered locations. This windslab is poorly bonded, especially where it overlies older deposits. Sheltered hollows, gullies and scarp slopes with a W to NW through to N aspect above 800 metres contain significant deposits. Other sheltered aspects are also affected. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Wind blown slopes are becoming increasingly hard frozen. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 5/2/01 A strong to gale force SE to E airflow with snow showers will continue for the forecast period. Windslab will continue to form, and add to existing deposits on SW to NW through to N aspects. This windslab will be poorly bonded, especially in sheltered locations such as gullies and hollows, scarp slopes and corrie headwalls, where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Unstable cornices will continue to build. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels today. ICING: Remaining cold, freezing at all levels. COMMENT: Challenging hill conditions at present. Caution advised in many areas, including crossloading on many aspects on the Ben. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 4/2/01 Colder conditions have created a shallow but firm crust on the old snowpack. New snow at all levels has accumulated in drifts on W through to NE slopes and in many sheltered hollows and gullies. Above 500 metres areas of deep windslab exist. Surface layers of soft slab are highly unstable with a weak bond existing between new snow and the firm old snowpack. Strips of this old snowpack remain visible in some locations on the hill. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 5/2/01 The cold SE gale will persist bringing snow to all levels. Further layers of soft slab will accumulate on W through to NE slopes particularly in sheltered hollows and gullies. Layered soft slab will be highly unstable on steep scarp slopes. Deep deposits on slopes of a lesser angle will be weakly bonded. Avalanches will occur and large cornices will be unstable. Avalanche hazard High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow at all levels. ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 300m. COMMENT: Strong winds causing blizzard conditions with much transporting of new and existing snow. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 4/2/01 Heavy snowfall on strong E winds continues to build deep windslab in sheltered locations mainly on SW through to NE aspects. Stability was poor down to valley level and avalanche activity was noted on W and N aspects. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Cornices were easily triggered. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 5/2/01 Further heavy snowfall on storm force winds will continue to load windslab in to sheltered locations mainly on SW through to NE aspects. Here the snowpack will be weakly bonded and avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and cornices will continue to be suspect. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Falling to valley level, very deep drifts in place. ICING: Poor observation conditions but likely to be buried. COMMENT: Another poor day on the hill. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 4/2/01 Snow has continued to fall all day on a strong South-East wind. This has caused deep accumulations of highly unstable windslab to form on West to North aspects above 800 metres. Cross loading into sheltered gullies has also affected North to East aspects. Fresh avalanche debris was noted on a North West aspect and tests showed a very easy shear on top of the underlying, old frozen snowpack. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 5/2/01 Snow will continue to fall overnight and during the day on a storm force East-South-East becoming East wind. This will continue to build highly unstable windslab on South-West through North-West to North aspects above 800 metres. Cross loading will also continue to affect sheltered gullies of a North East aspect. Temperatures will remain very cold, so no consolidation will occur. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 700 metres. Fresh snow falling at all levels. ICING: Good on the Post Face and in the Inner Coire. COMMENT: Difficult trail breaking with waist deep drifts in places. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------