NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 27/12/01 Light to moderate snow amounts fell to low elevations. There has been a significant wind change to Southerly with accumulations in lee location up to 20 centimetres. Areas with snowpack instability continue to be isolated but these are now on North and South aspect above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 28/12/01 Heavy snow is forecast with strong winds swinging from the West to North-West. This will produce more widespread areas of slab instability near the tops of some climbs. In most locations these pockets can be avoided. Some spindrift sluffing will take place on the steepest ground. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Forecast values will see significant increase in snow cover at all elevations. ICING: Needs a melt-freeze cycle before there will be much change. COMMENT: There is interesting layering in the snowpack with facets at the base in some study plot locations. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 27/12/01 Snow during the forecast period has formed areas of unstable soft slab on sheltered N through E to SE aspects above 1000m. Greatest accumulations are present in deep gullies, hollows and scarp slopes. The hazard exists where these fresh deposits are present on older snow. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Soft unstable cornices are present. Release by cornice collapse observed on Aonach Mor, Easy Gully. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 28/12/01 Heavy snow and strong winds will see further unstable deposits form during the forecast period. Greatest accumulations will be present on N and E aspects above 1000m. As winds turn to the NW later the hazard will start to form on SE aspects. As snowfall increases the hazard will become increasingly less dependent on overlying older deposits. Avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow lying at all levels. ICING: Improving slowly, many areas still bare though. COMMENT: Strong winds and heavy snow expected. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 27/12/01 New snow is forming shallow accumulations above 300m on slopes of all aspects. Deeper deposits of soft unconsolidated slab exist in sheltered hollows and in gullies on the higher slopes mainly above 950m. These accumulations are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 28/12/01 Cold conditions with a strong Westerly airflow and high snowfall overnight and early Friday will form areas of unstable windslab on slopes with a North-East to South-West aspect. Scarp slopes of these aspects and sheltered gullies mainly above 850m will be where the greatest accumulations of windslab form. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely. In areas exposed to strong winds extensive scouring of snow on slopes will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow lying above 300m. ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 400m. COMMENT: New snow on ridges and buttresses. Windy! SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 27/12/01 Snow showers have produced a general light covering of fresh snow. Deeper accumulations are to be found on mainly S aspects. Stability is moderate on steeper slopes where soft slab overlies firmer snow ice. These areas are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 28/12/01 Heavy snow on strong to gale force winds will rapidly build deposits in sheltered locations on E to S aspects. The snowpack will be moderately to weakly bonded especially where snow ice is present on steeper terrain. Greatest hazard is most likely to be found on scarp slopes and gully exits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover with S aspects holding most amounts. ICING: Watercourses are likely to give best conditions. COMMENT: Thinly covered ice present on footpaths! CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 27/12/01 Snow fell continuously overnight on a strong, variable Westerly wind. Localised areas of unstable windslab up to half a metre deep, have formed in sheltered gullies and scoops on North-East through South-East to South aspects above 900 metres. Fresh cornices have started to form above the same aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 28/12/01 Heavy snow on a storm force, North-Westerly wind will cause severe drifting onto lee slopes. Unstable windslab will continue to build on North-East through South-East to South aspects above 900 metres, with open slopes as well as sheltered gullies becoming increasingly affected. Cornices will continue to grow over the same aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches are likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels. Still a bit thin for skiing. ICING: Poor but improving. COMMENT: Blizzard conditions expected. Better try and find my goggles! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------