NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 26/2/01 Another period of moderate snowfall with light winds over the top from the East. In some locations the winds have been slightly stronger from variable direction. The most recent snow has not formed a well-defined slab. However the older slab from Westerly loading still gives clean shears. The critical mass for a widespread avalanche cycle has not been reached, although a spindrift avalanche was observed in Coire an t-Sneachda. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 27/2/01 Moderate snow is forecast and winds will become stronger from the NE. Continued cold temperatures will slow the rate of settlement and there will be no opportunity for any strengthening of bonds in the older slab. Aspects affected by the old and new slab will be mainly E through S to NW at elevations above 600 metres. There will also be localised instabilities on other aspects. Avalanches will occur and the avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover, some thin spots. ICING: Snow-ice under the recent snow in good nick. COMMENT: Lots of dynamic, high additional load slope testing in the Northern Corries. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 26/2/01 Heavy snow with light winds overnight have left significant accumulations of soft fresh snow on all aspects. Increasing NE winds during Monday have started to redistribute snow to S through to W aspects, with unstable slab forming in sheltered locations, notably scarp slopes and gullies above 700 metres. Areas of older unstable slab are still present on sheltered NE through E to SE aspects. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Soft unstable cornices present. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 27/2/01 Strong to gale force NE winds with snow showers are expected during the forecast period. Unstable windslab will be present on SE to S through to W aspects. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered scarp slopes and gullies. Other sheltered locations of other aspects may also be affected. Avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at al levels today. ICING: Remaining cold. COMMENT: Caution advised, especially with approaches and exits. Ridges and buttresses the safer options. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 26/2/01 Localised areas of layered soft windslab exist in sheltered locations. Hollows and gullies on North through to West facing aspects 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 TUE 27/2/01 The cold North-Easterly airflow with snow showers above 300 metres will continue to affect the area during Monday night and for most of Tuesday. These showers coupled with the strong NE winds will deposit accumulations of windslab on to sheltered slopes. These will lie on an icy surface. The greatest accumulation of new snow will be on SW through to NW facing slopes and all sheltered gullies. Slopes with NE through to S facing aspect will still have some areas of deep soft slab which will remain weakly bonded on steep slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 300m ICING: Ice forming above 200m. COMMENT: Soft windslab will exist on many slope aspects. Ridges and buttresses are the safest option. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 26/2/01 The wintry conditions continue with further deposits of snow down to valley level. Soft and hard slab is to be found on E through to SW aspects above 650 metres. The stability of windslab remains generally poor. Exposed slopes are icy and stable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). New cornices remain unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 27/2/01 There will be further snowfall in strengthening NW winds. Drifts will be found from valley level with deeper unstable windslab in sheltered locations mainly on SE through to W aspects above 650 metres. Wind transportation of snow from exposed E aspects will also add to unstable accumulations. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. Cornices will continue to be a hazard. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable cover from valley level. Hard and icy on exposed slopes. ICING: Poor observation conditions but new growth remains slow. COMMENT: Route planning required to avoid deep unstable slab. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 26/2/01 Snow is falling on a fresh North-East wind. Deep accumulations of unstable windslab persist on North-East through South to North- West aspects above 800 metres. An easy shear was obtained on a South-West aspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) and loose snow avalanche activity was observed on the cliffs of Coire Ardair. Sheltered gullies, hollows and lee slopes below cornices are particularly affected. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 27/2/01 Snow will continue overnight and tomorrow on a severe gale force North-East wind. Drifting will be severe and deep, highly unstable windslab deposits will form on South through West to North-West aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. Large unstable cornices will form and be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels. Improving ski- touring above 600 metres. ICING: Plenty left, but most is now buried. COMMENT: Severe mountain conditions, care should be taken around the cliffs tomorrow (27/2/01). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------