NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/2/01 There has been near continuous snow above 1000 metres and snow showers to low elevations. Snow transport has been from N to NW winds and temperatures have stayed cool. In some lee and protected locations there is 20 centimetres of foot penetration. The slab shears easily and has varied distribution on the S and SE aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/2/01 Snow showers will ease but there will be slightly more at elevations above 850 metres. The slab that continues to build will become less stable especially on convex unsupported terrain. The new cornices are quite soft and weak. Avalanches are likely above 850 metres, mainly on E, SE and S aspect. Some N facing gully heads which have multiple aspects and loaded by the N and NW wind will also have the unstable slab. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Increasing cover at all elevations, some scoured areas also on N, E and S aspects. ICING: Even if it's under the under the new snow there is a definite improvement. COMMENT: Watching for the distribution of the new slab is the key to avalanche success right now. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/2/01 Fresh snow and W to NW winds on Saturday have produced fresh areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations exist on sheltered NE to E through to S facing slopes and gullies above 800m. Some other sheltered aspects are also affected. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Soft unstable cornices present. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/2/01 Snow showers with NW winds, becoming W by Sunday, will form further areas of unstable snow in sheltered locations. Main accumulations will be on steep NE to E through to S aspects above 800m. Other sheltered aspects will also be affected. Avalanches are likely in the above mentioned locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Old windblown snow remains hard frozen and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels on Saturday. ICING: Remaining cold overnight and on Sunday. COMMENT: Deep soft snow in corrie floors making travel interesting in places. Hard snow-ice on windblown slopes. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/2/01 Wind transportation and heavy showers have deposited localised areas of layered windslab in sheltered locations. Hollows and gullies on North through to South-East slopes above 750 metres contain deep accumulations of weakly bonded soft slab. Some of the bonds between these layers are very weak particularly where graupel exists. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). On many exposed slopes the snowpack remains stable and icy. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/2/01 The cold North -West airflow will persist with snow showers above 300 metres. These showers coupled with wind transportation will continue to load sheltered hollows and gullies on North-East through to South facing slopes. Areas of deep soft slab will be very weakly bonded on steep scarp slopes and locations such as the exit from Curved Ridge. Avalanches are likely.The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).Exposed slopes will remain icy. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 100m. ICING: Ice forming above 200m. COMMENT: Crampons and axe essential on icy slopes. Large unstable cornices in evidence. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/2/01 Variable winds have left poorly bonded windslab in sheltered locations on many aspects. Deeper areas exist above 700 metres in sheltered locations on E through to SW aspects. Consolidation is minimal with observers noting the lack of stability in deeper areas. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). New cornices are easily triggered. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/2/01 Snowpack stability will remain poor with further snow showers overnight and into the day falling on NW winds. Windslab will be found in sheltered locations on many aspects with greatest amounts on E through to SW aspects above 700 metres where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Newly formed cornices will continue to be a hazard. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable from 700 metres. Deep drifts in places. ICING: Not too much around but has now refrozen. COMMENT: Some Lochnagar buttress routes holding unconsolidated snow. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/2/01 After a promising start to the day mountain conditions deteriorated for a while with blowing snow on a strong North West wind. Areas of very unstable soft slab have continued to build on North-East through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Gullies and steep scarp slopes below cornices are particularly affected, but more open areas - such as the approach to The Window from Coire Ardair - are also becoming loaded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/2/01 Conditions will remain cold with snow showers on a strong North-West wind. Snow will continue to drift, adding to existing deposits of windslab on North-East through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Sheltered gullies and hollows and scarp slopes will have the deepest deposits. Fresh unstable cornices will build above these same aspects, and the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) with avalanches likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels. Snow cover varies from hard snow-ice to soft slab. ICING: The ice is good, but the snow isn't. Soft slab is still forming in the gullies and on the exits to some routes. COMMENT: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------