NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 21/2/01 There was barely enough new snow with the NW winds to make a few pockets of very small slab above 1000 metres. These pockets did not show any shear characteristics in field tests. On S and W aspect there are areas where snow temperatures are zero. It has good stability with a hard refrozen surface crust. On N and E aspects there are still areas with a colder snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 22/2/01 Winds will continue from the NW with light snow down to 400 metres. The snowpack will be moderately well bonded on steep slopes and otherwise generally well bonded. The snowpack stability will remain good. Any new slab will develop on E to S aspect above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Crampons are probably a better choice on the plateau than skins. ICING: Quality is reasonable, quantity is lacking. COMMENT: Snowpack variability is quite noticeable by aspect and elevation. Some areas still have a cold snowpack, other areas are almost spring like. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 21/2/01 Slightly cooler conditions during Wednesday have refrozen the snowpack above 800m. Some isolated deposits of fresh snow exist, but accumulations are not significant. The snowpack is generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 22/2/01 A cold, showery NW airflow is expected overnight and during Thursday. The existing snowpack will remain stable. Localised areas of fresh windslab will form, although significant accumulations will be generally restricted to the tops of E, SE and S aspects above 1100 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover remaining above 700m. ICING: Remaining cold during Thursday. COMMENT: Large areas of snow-ice reforming at all levels. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 21/2/01 Colder conditions last night and today and only a trace of new snow have stabilised the snow conditions in all areas. A widespread icy surface is forming on much of the snowpack giving favourable conditions for climbing and walking The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 22/2/01 Snow showers and a strong North-Westerly airflow will form areas of windslab in the tops of sheltered gullies and on lee slopes with an East to South aspect above 900 metres. These deposits are not expected to be deep or extensive. The existing old snowpack will remain firm and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700m. ICING: Ice on rocks above 700m. COMMENT: Snowpack hard and icy, axe and crampons essential SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 21/2/01 Light amounts of snow falling on gale force winds are building new areas of windslab in sheltered locations on E to S aspects above 850 metres. New developments are not deep but stability over existing snow-ice is marginal. Existing snow-ice is crusty and older instabilities remain in sheltered locations above 950 metres on N to E aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 22/2/01 Further amounts of snow will fall on NW winds. Loading will continue into sheltered locations on E through to S aspects. Where this overlies older snow-ice stability will become poor. Older instabilities will remain on steeper slopes of N to E aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Large cornices remain in some locations. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable from 750 metres but very crusty. ICING: Generally continues to be poor. COMMENT: Walking on breakable crust is tiresome. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 21/2/01 Intermittent snow showers have occurred on a strong North-West wind. Shallow and isolated areas of moderately bonded windslab have formed on North-East through East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. The tops of sheltered gullies, hollows and lee slopes below cornices are particularly affected. Although an easy shear can be obtained from these fresh deposits they are easily avoided. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack is hardening, well bonded and stable. Cornices are also again stabilising in colder conditions. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 22/2/01 Snow showers on a strong North-West wind will add to moderately bonded fresh windslab deposits on North-East through East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. The tops of sheltered gullies, hollows and lee slopes below cornices will be particularly affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will be well bonded and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. Variable in condition. Icy in places, with some breakable crust. ICING: Greatest build up on Post Face and Inner Coire routes. COMMENT: Freezing level due to stay at around 650 metres throughout forecast period. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------