NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 19/2/01 There has been a light amount of new snow above 1000 metres. Winds from the W have built some new slab on E and S aspects. It is quite patchy in distribution but shears easily in field test. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 20/2/01 Rain, warmer temperatures and winds from the W are in the forecast. The rain will weaken the bond in the new slab that has patchy distribution above 1000 metres on E and S aspect. Cornices and poorly supported ice will be weaker. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Variable hardness on plateau. ICING: Ice softening. COMMENT: LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 19/2/01 Light snow showers overnight have produced isolated fresh areas of shallow soft snow. Accumulations are mainly on sheltered steep N and NE aspects above 1100m and are generally not significant. Elsewhere the snowpack is well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 20/2/01 The current cold conditions will be replaced as Tuesday progresses with rain, and temperatures rising above the summits. Where fresh snow accumulations occur wet snow instabilities will be present, mainly on steep N and NE aspects above 1100m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Cornices becoming softer and prone to collapse during Tuesday. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remaining above 700m ICING: Freezing above the summits on Tuesday. COMMENT: Hazard of falling ice and rocks during the next thaw. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 19/2/01 A melt-freeze cycle overnight has formed a widespread icy surface on the snowpack at most levels. New snow deposits at the highest levels are shallow and are well bonded with a breakable surface crust. Where slopes are affected by the sun a degree of softening has occurred The snowpack is generally stable and the avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 20/2/01 Cold and dry conditions will prevail overnight with rain and very mild conditions later on Tuesday. The snowpack will initially be firm and icy above 700 metres. During the course of the day milder conditions with rain at all levels will make the snowpack soft and moist. The snowpack in steep sheltered gullies and on steep scarp slopes will become moderately bonded. Elsewhere the snowpack although becoming soft and moist should remain stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Firm snow above 650m. ICING: Ice on rocks above 550m. COMMENT: A deterioration of climbing conditions will occur as milder conditions arrive with freezing levels going well above the summits. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 19/2/01 Little has changed with most of the snowpack remaining well bonded. Some moderately bonded areas exist in steeper sheltered locations above 950 metres on N to E aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 20/2/01 There will be a rise in the freezing level and some light rain to above the summits during the day. Snow will soften at all levels but will generally remain stable. Areas of moderately bonded snow will continue to be found in steeper sheltered locations above 950 metres on N to E aspects. Many of these areas will be threatened from the remaining larger cornices that exist. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable from 750 metres. ICING: Continues to be poor. COMMENT: Freezing level expected to be around 2200 metres. Thawing cornices will be a hazard. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 19/2/01 Although a mild night, this morning clear skies and colder temperatures have again hardened the snowpack. North-West to North-East aspects, shadowed from the sun remain hard, well bonded and stable. On all other aspects the snowpack is slightly softer and although the surface is well bonded, a shear can still be obtained in a softer sub surface layer at around 40 cm. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 20/2/01 The freezing level will rise above the summits overnight and tomorrow causing a general softening of the snowpack. Later in the day rain on a strong Westerly wind will moisten the snowpack further. There will be a period of instability while mild conditions and rain continue. Remaining cornices will be prone to collapse; also wet snow avalanches are likely from steep gullies and lee slopes below cornices. North-West through North to South-East aspects above 850 metres will be particularly affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. ICING: Still good. More fragile ice may collapse in mild conditions tomorrow (20/2/02). COMMENT: Rain later in day. Large cornices still present a hazard, watch out for run out zones. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------