NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/2/01 The snowpack above 600 metres is re-frozen and mostly stable. However, snow showers on strong W to NW winds have created areas of windslab on E to S facing slopes above 950 metres. These deposits show easy shears in soft surface layers. At present these accumulations are localised. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/2/01 Heavy snow on strong NW to N winds will affect the area overnight and during Friday. Substantial new deposits of windslab will be created on mainly E to S aspects above 600 metres. Approaches to Loch Avon Basin climbs will be affected. NE to E aspects in the Northern Corries will also have new slab loading, as will some N-facing gully-heads. Fresh cornices will form on mainly SE to S aspects. Avalanches are likely where new slab has formed. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover above 700m. ICING: Ice in grooves making placements difficult. COMMENT: New localised deposits in N. Corries worth watching. Difficult weather conditions for Friday. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/2/01 Some localised fresh snow deposits are present, although they are generally restricted to the tops of NE, E and SE aspects above 1100 metres. Accumulations are not of sufficient depth to constitute any avalanche hazard. The snowpack remains generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/2/01 Heavy snowfall and strong Northerly winds are expected overnight and during Friday. Large fresh areas of unstable windslab will form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on steep E, SE, S and SW aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will increase to Considerable (Category 3). Fresh cornices will also form above these aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover of old snow above 800m. Fresh snow expected down to 300m on Friday. ICING: Wind blown snow slopes becoming frozen. COMMENT: Becoming windy. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/2/01 Cold and blustery conditions last night and today with snow showers have formed localised areas of windslab in sheltered gullies and on slopes with an East to South aspect. Greatest deposits have formed at the tops of gullies and on lee slopes below ridges and cornices. Under field test stability of these accumulations was moderate. Elsewhere stability is very good with a widespread icy surface on much of the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/2/01 New snow and Northerly gales overnight and on Friday will form areas of unstable windslab in all sheltered gullies and on lee slopes with an East through South to South-West aspect above 700 metres. Bonding to the underlying old snow will be poor. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely. Stability on areas exposed to the strong winds will very good with a hard icy surface continuing to develop. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700m. ICING: Ice on rocks above 600m. COMMENT: Snowpack hard and icy, axe and crampons essential. Fresh cornice formations will be weak and prone to collapse. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/2/01 Snow has continued to fall in gale force NW winds. Windslab development is building in sheltered locations on E through to S aspects. Above 850 metres where this overlies older snow-ice stability is poor. The surface layers of older snow-ice are refreezing but deeper down snow remains soft. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cornices show some development on E and SE aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/2/01 Wintry conditions will continue leading to substantial accumulations of new snow in sheltered locations on E through to S aspects down to valley level. Above 700 metres where new slab develops on existing snow, stability will be poor and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). New cornice developments will be suspect. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable from 750 metres. ICING: Variable in quality and still quite wet. COMMENT: Will be blizzard conditions during the day. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/2/01 Snow showers on gale force South-West to North-West winds have led to localised deposits of unstable windslab building throughout the day. These deposits are most significant in North- West through North to South-East facing gullies above 850 metres and on steep scarp slopes beneath cornices. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/2/01 Blizzard conditions with heavy snow showers on a severe gale force North-West to North wind will lead to deposits of highly unstable windslab accumulating throughout the period. Deepest deposits will be on North through East to South facing slopes above 750 metres, with sheltered gullies, hollows and the tops of steep scarp slopes particularly affected. Fresh unstable cornices will form above the same aspects. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. ICING: Good build up on the Post Face and Inner Coire routes. Looks like it's going to be buried again tomorrow (Friday). COMMENT: A wild day in prospect. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------