NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 3/1/02 Cold temperatures and strong South-Easterly winds have led to some drifting at higher elevations. However, recent slab accumulations show good stabilisation. In tests at a site on a North-East aspect at 1000 metres, no clean shears in recent deposits were evident. There is some cornice development above North-facing slopes, but these fracture only with high loading. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/1/02 A continuation of cold Southerly winds will lead to some additional transport of snow, but accumulations are likely to be small. Existing slab will stabilise further and any new deposits will be restricted to gully heads and plateau rims on mainly Northerly aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover is still sparse, with some main gullies not complete. ICING: Dry conditions are providing little seepage to increase build-up. COMMENT: Windy on the plateau, should be better on Friday. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 3/1/02 Strong Southerly winds have continued to form isolated areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are present on steep slopes, scarp slopes and gullies with a NW to NE aspect above 850m. Under test this slab show an easy shear. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices present. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/1/02 Light snow showers and a strong Southerly airflow will continue to form isolated areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be present on steep slopes, scarp slopes and gullies with a NW to NE aspect above 850m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow remaining at all levels. ICING: Still thin, best ice in natural watercourses. COMMENT: Climbing conditions still limited. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 3/1/02 Although it was a slightly milder day,strong southerly winds have continued to transport and redistribut snow on to most Northerly aspects above 850 metres. Isolated areas of windslab have formed mainly at the top of summit gullies but also in other sheltered Northerly aspects above 900m. The avalanche hazard in these areas is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snow-pack is generally stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/1/02 Light snow-showers above 300m becoming 600m with strong Southerly winds will affect the area. Windslab will continue to form with the combination of new snow showers and the redistribution of the existing snowpack. The greatest accumulations will be on North-West through to East facing slopes and in sheltered gullies mainly above 800m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) where deep windslab has formed in gullies and on steep slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500m. Deep soft snow in some higher gullies General cover remains thin. ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 250m. COMMENT: Light cover of snow on ridges and buttresses. Milder conditions. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 3/1/02 Drifting is forming localised but significant areas of windslab in very sheltered locations on NW to NE aspects. Stability is especially poor on steeper ground where older snow ice is present. Gullies and burns in particular are accumulating considerable depth. Cornices are forming on N aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Exposed areas have generally thin cover. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/1/02 There will be little change to the current situation with redistributed deposits continuing to build in very sheltered locations on NW to NE aspects. These localised areas of windslab should be avoided as stability will be poor especially on steeper ground. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Recently formed cornices will be unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still best on E to S aspects. ICING: Watercourses are the better option at present. COMMENT: Windslab building in N facing gullies. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 3/1/02 Snow transportation on a strong Southerly airflow has continued overnight and throughout the day leaving all but the deepest sheltered gullies and hollows of a Southerly aspect windscoured. Fresh isolated areas of moderately to weakly bonded windslab have formed on North-West through North to East aspects above 850 metres. Sheltered gullies, hollows and the tops of steep sheltered aspects are worst affected but in most cases are easily avoided. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/1/02 Isolated areas of moderately to weakly bonded windslab will persist on North-West through North to East aspects above 850 metres as temperatures remain below freezing and a strong Southerly wind continues. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). Sheltered gullies, hollows and the tops of steep sheltered aspects will be worst affected. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels, sparse cover on plateau and Southerly aspects. ICING: Good on exposed watercourses, still a lot of unconsolidated snow in-between. COMMENT: Still a slog off the beaten track !! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------