NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/2/01 It was a dry day with freezing level going above the summit and moderate Westerly winds contributing to some snow transport. The snowpack where tested at 950 metres on North aspect was stable. However one large avalanche deposit was observed from an East aspect, starting from 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/2/01 The snow that is forecast will extend down to about 600 metres. The winds will be mainly from the North-West. There will be more widespread slab instability on E and S aspect above 850 metres. Cornice failure may break out avalanches to deeper older instability. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Softening and disappearing below 650 metres; glazing and hardening from 900 metres up. ICING: Lairig Ghru still seems to have the best cover and widest choice. COMMENT: More snow required for skiers, more ice for climbers but the avalanche hazard is still out there. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/2/01 Rising temperatures with rain at all levels today have produced wet surface layers in the existing snowpack. Where recent isolated soft deposits are present, mainly on steep scarp slopes with a N and NE aspect above 1100m, the wet surface layers are moderately bonded. Elsewhere the snowpack is generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Cornices are softening and becoming prone to collapse. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/2/01 Colder conditions over the forecast period will see any wet surface instabilities refreeze and stabilise. Light snow showers with a NW airflow overnight will start to form shallow areas of fresh snow on E and SE aspects above 800m. Accumulations will be greatest on sheltered steep slopes and gullies. Amounts are not expected to be significant. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover remaining above 700m. ICING: Returning cold again by Wednesday COMMENT: Some large, wet, soft cornices present. Hazard of falling rocks and ice today in the thaw. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/2/01 New snow very early this morning at the highest levels formed shallow areas of soft slab on slopes with a North-East to South- East aspect above 950 metres. A period of localised instability occured in these locations during the transition to milder wet conditions. As the day has progressed rain and drizzle at all levels have softened and moistened the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) on steep scarp slopes and sheltered gullies. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/2/01 Colder conditions with only light snow showers and fresh North-Westerly winds will start to consolidate the existing wet snowpack. Shallow deposits of windslab will form in sheltered gullies and on slopes with an East to South aspect. These deposits will predominantly form around the tops of gullies and on sheltered scarp slopes: they are however not expected to be deep or extensive. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 700m. ICING: Thawing ice on rocks above 700m. COMMENT: A return to colder temperatures will start to re- freeze the snowpack overnight and may well give some reasonable climbing conditions on higher routes. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/2/01 The current trend continues with the snowpack alternatively softening and refreezing as the temperatures fluctuate. The snowpack is generally well bonded with moist surface layers. Some moderately bonded areas exist in steeper sheltered locations on N to E aspects above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/2/01 Surface layers will start to refreeze with the freezing level reaching 750 metres by Wednesday. Light snow will be deposited on E to S aspects above 800 metres overnight with just a trace of fresh snow expected down to 550 metres on Wednesday. Some moderately bonded areas will be found in steeper sheltered locations above 950 metres on N to E aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable from 750 metres but S aspects now have thinner cover. ICING: Poor. Routes holding crusty and granular snow. COMMENT: Ski touring remains good although skiing to the valley is not now guaranteed. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/2/01 Mild conditions prevail, with light rain on a strong Westerly wind. The snowpack remains soft, but well bonded on most aspects. Shallow accumulations of wet windslab exist on North to North East aspects above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/2/01 As temperatures decrease the snowpack will again stabilise overnight. However snow showers on a strong North West wind will build fresh unstable windslab deposits on North through East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. The tops of steep sheltered gullies, hollows and lee slopes below cornices will be particularly affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). The underlying old hard snow will provide an efficient sliding surface for these fresh deposits; elsewhere the snowpack will be well bonded and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. ICING: Thawing today (20/2/01), fragile ice falling off. But main accumulations remain significant. COMMENT: A return to more wintry conditions? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------