LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 17/2/01 Warmer conditions with light rain overnight have produced a moist surface layer to the existing snowpack. Very localised areas of soft snow exist on sheltered scarp slopes above 1000m, although accumulations are not significant. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Cornices becoming softer where exposed to the sun. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 18/2/01 Colder temperatures overnight and on Sunday should see any wet snow refreeze above 600m. Any fresh amounts of snow are not expected to be significant. Little change expected to the generally stable snowpack. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover above 700m. ICING: Freezing level around 800m by Sunday. COMMENT: Large areas of snow-ice forming above 800m. Crampons and ice-axe essential for all hill users. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 17/2/01 The snowpack above 650m is generally firm and well consolidated. Warmer conditions at lower levels this afternoon have softened the surface of the snowpack. At higher altitudes an icy crust remains with some patches of hollow snow on scarp slopes. The snowpack is generally stable and the avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 18/2/01 A strong SW airflow will deposit a dusting of new snow above 800m during Sunday afternoon. Moderately bonded accumulations in sheltered N-E facing hollows and gullies are not expected to be significant. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack will remain generally firm with an icy crust on exposed slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Firm snow above 650m. ICING: Ice on rocks above 500m. COMMENT: Firm snow and pleasant conditions overhead-the glen is busy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 17/2/01 Milder conditions have covered the region resulting in a general softening of the existing snowpack. Northerly aspects, which are more shadowed from the sun, have softened to a lesser extent, and little change has resulted to the stability of the snowpack. Moderately well bonded hard slab persists on North West to North East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 18/2/01 It will remain dry overnight before gale force South West winds and a trace of fresh snow arrive during the day. The freezing level is due to drop to around 800 metres, which will harden up the snowpack on all aspects. Moderately well bonded hard slab will persist on North West to North East aspects above 800 metres. Drifting will occur onto sheltered lee slopes but deposits will be easily avoidable and too shallow to cause problems. The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. +2.5c at 1000 metres today (17.2.01.) ICING: Remains okay, but climbs were a bit soggy. It needs a freeze. COMMENT: Looks like another busy day in store for Coire Ardair. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 17/2/01 Some cloud around the tops in the morning but mostly clear in the afternoon with light Westerly winds. Freezing level is near the summit of Cairn Gorm. Snowpack stability is good, with some softening of the surface layer depending on exposure to sun and wind. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 18/2/01 Another fine day is forecast for the region. Snowpack stability will remain good except for possible surface snow instability in areas where there is strong direct sunlight. The bridging effect over zones of old weak snow is contributing to the overall good stability situation. These bridged areas will require a very high additional load to trigger an avalanche. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: On piste very popular today, off piste good on softened slopes, changeable surface from sun to shade and by elevation, some boulder and icy sections for caution. ICING: Busy on the standard routes in the northern Corries. COMMENT: Some slight warming noted in snowpack. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/2/01 The majority of the snowpack is firm and well bonded with surface layers on S aspects being softened by the sun. Some moderately bonded areas exist in sheltered locations above 950 metres on N to E aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/2/01 Conditions will remain relatively unchanged with the snowpack being generally well bonded. A few areas of moderately bonded snow will persist on steeper slopes of N to E aspects above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Becoming patchy from valley level, better above 750 metres. ICING: Has shown improvement although some routes remain poor. COMMENT: Climbing has improved although areas such as Sputan Dearg remain poor. Touring is excellent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 17/2/01 Conditions remain relatively unchanged with the majority of the snowpack firm and well bonded. Some moderately bonded areas are to be found in sheltered locations above 950 metres on N to E aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 18/2/01 The freezing level will rise to around 1100 metres. The snowpack will soften but remain generally well bonded. Areas of moderately bonded snow will be found on steeper slopes of N to E aspects above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Some aspects are still threatened by large cornices. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable from 750 metres. ICING: Generally remains poor. COMMENT: A few climbers in Lochnagar today. Routes remain in varied condition with some exits snowy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------