LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/2/01 The warm temperatures of yesterday followed by cooler temperatures today have stabilised much of the existing snowpack. Some light snow on a NW wind has formed localised areas of windslab, but these are generally restricted to scarp slopes above 1100m with a NE and E aspect. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/2/01 The settled weather is expected to continue through-out the forecast period. Little change is expected to the existing snow conditions. Areas of unstable snow will generally be restricted to scarp slopes above 1100m with a NE and E aspect. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good general cover above 700m. ICING: Remaining cool. COMMENT: Breakable crust in places producing challenging underfoot conditions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/2/01 Mild conditions overnight caused a brief period of instability in the area. Debris from large wet slab avalanches was observed on East and South East aspects. However the freezing level has again dropped aiding consolidation of present snowpack. Moderately bonded windslab persists on North through East to South West aspects above 850 metres. The Avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/2/01 Further mild conditions with the freezing level above the summits and a severe gale force South West wind. Moderately bonded windslab will form on North West through East to South East aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Remaining cornices will remain unstable throughout the forecast period. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover still good above 700 metres. ICING: Lower Post face routes affected by thaw? Main build up remains good. COMMENT: Large cornices still looming above Post Face and Inner Coire. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/2/01 Colder settled conditions have begun to stabilise the snowpack with an icy crust forming above 650m. Beneath this crust wet snow is consolidating and is relatively stable. Wind transportation has deposited isolated pockets of shallow soft slab in sheltered hollows and gullies above 900m. Avalanche hazard Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/2/01 Dry conditions will continue although freezing level will be well above the summits. The warm airflow will reduce and consolidate the snowpack further. The snowpack will become soft and moist particularly in the afternoon. Large cornices will be prone to collapse threatening slopes and gullies below. The avalanche hazard will Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 600m. ICING: Thawing ice below 1000m. COMMENT: Ridges and butresses contain firmer snow gullies a bit sloppy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/2/01 Avalanche debris was noted from a period of instability early last night. The majority of the snowpack now has a strong melt freeze crust but deeper within colder dry snow and older instabilities continue to exist. Stability is marginal in most locations with a few softer unstable areas existing in sheltered locations on NE through to SE aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/2/01 The snowpack will be subject to thaw conditions at all levels allowing stronger surface layers to soften and stability to become suspect. The snowpack will be moderately to weakly bonded with greatest hazard on steeper slopes above 800 metres on all aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Remaining cornices will be suspect. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover from 750 metres. ICING: Subject to thaw conditions. COMMENT: With the freezing level around 1600mts walk-ins are likely to be crust breaking and tiresome. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/2/01 There has been an easing of the storm conditions. Temperatures cooled a little and moderate winds are now from the SW. Avalanche debris was noted on N and E aspect at 1000 metres. The slight cooling made a significant improvement to snow stability that is now generally fair. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/2/01 Temperatures will go above zero at 1200 metres however there is no appreciable precipitation forecast. Winds will continue from the SW. The deeper snowpack remains cold and pockets of instability will persist. Avalanches are likely above 800 metres on North and East aspects, especially convex, unsupported terrain and below cornice zones. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Above 800 metres there has been reasonable recovery from the pineapple express that went through. ICING: A slight but definite improvement. COMMENT: Tentative and cautious route finding noted by most parties in the northern Corries. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------