NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/1/02 The maximum temperature at the summit, 1245 metres, was 3 degrees with light Westerly winds. This has contributed to further softening of the surface layer and free water moving on and under ice. Small pieces of ice were observed melting off the cliffs of Coire an Lochan. Moist snow of the surface layer has fair stability, otherwise the stability is good. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/1/02 Light rain is forecast with possibly snow on the tops, above 1150 metres. In areas with over 1 metre of snow the snow deeper than 20 centimetres down will continue to have good stability. The moist soft surface layer on steep convex ground will be suspect. These areas are above 1000 metres on a variety of aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Free water lying and running on the plateau. ICING: Thin unsupported ice on rock will be likely to fall off due to rain. COMMENT: Still remnants of ice surviving in gullies. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/1/02 Continuing mild conditions have had little effect on the existing snowpack. Accumulations are generally well bonded and stable, although moist at lower elevations. Remaining deposits are mainly in N and E facing corries and gullies above 900m. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/1/02 Cooler conditions overnight and during Wednesday will see the existing snowpack re-freeze above 1100m. Accumulations will be generally well bonded and stable. Deposits will remain mainly in N and E facing corries and gullies above 900m. Any fresh snow deposits will be limited to the summits and are not expected to be significant. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover in high N and E facing corries. ICING: Freezing around summit level by Wednesday. COMMENT: Colder conditions expected. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/1/02 The milder conditions have continued through the period with moderate South-Westerly winds. This has led to a further reduction in the snow cover. The greatest amounts of snow are to be found in the higher corries and in sheltered gullies with a northerly aspect above 900m. The snowpack is moist but is generally consolidated and well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/1/02 During Tuesday evening the mild South-Westerly airstream will continue to affect the area with some rain at all levels. Colder conditions are anticipated during Wednesday with some light snow showers above 600m: these are not expected to be very significant. The moist snowpack will start to re-freeze and will remain generally well bonded at all levels. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1) in sheltered gullies and on steeper slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 900m. The general cover remains thin. ICING: Patches of wet ice still exist on rocks above 900m. COMMENT: Becoming colder for a period during Wednesday. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/1/02 With another dry but mild day snow and ice continues to thaw at all levels. Snow is wet but remains generally well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/1/02 Initially not much will change but cooler conditions will return during the day gradually re-freezing the moist snow. This will not alter the avalanche hazard which will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Higher E corries have most snow. Plateau areas are sparse. ICING: Subject to thaw at all levels. COMMENT: Freezing level will drop to 650 metres during the day. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/1/02 It has remained very mild with the freezing level well above the summits. The remaining snowpack is generally soft and wet at the surface but well bonded to the hard slab underneath. Largest areas remain in the beds of gullies, predominately on North- West through North-East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. The risk of cornice collapse is keeping the avalanche hazard at Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/1/02 The temperature will drop slightly, helping to slow the thaw and cause further consolidation of the remaining snowpack. Largest areas will survive in the beds of gullies on North-West through North-East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. A light dusting of new snow is possible over the summits, but not enough to cause any problems. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy above 700 metres. Generally sparse. ICING: Poor vis. today (8.1.02), however some ice appeared to be surviving. COMMENT: Large cornices above Centre Post and the Inner Coire. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------