NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 15/1/02 Moderate winds from the West-South-West have transported the light amounts of new snow into small slabs on Easterly aspects, restricted to areas above 1000 metres. In places with previous snow cover this new slab lies on a very tough crust giving an easy shear. The potential for this slab to fail across a slope is small. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 16/1/02 Another cycle of warming with rain is forecast to come through with strong winds from the West-South-West. With rapid warming the new surface layer will go through a period of instability. This will be mainly on those steep isolated Easterly aspect slopes above 1000 metres that have seasonal snow cover. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New dust on crust in areas with snow cover. ICING: Some recovery with cooling. COMMENT: Immediate climate change required please. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 15/1/02 Fresh snow showers overnight and during Tuesday have formed new areas of unstable soft slab. This unstable snow is generally restricted to scarp slopes and the tops of gullies above 1100m with a N, NE and E aspect. Fresh unconsolidated snow is starting to accumulate on many other aspects above 800m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 16/1/02 During Wednesday, heavy rain at all levels will cause a significant thaw. Initially, wet snow instabilities will be present, mainly on scarp slopes and at the tops of gullies above 1100m with a N, NE and E aspect. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). As the day progresses, snow stability will improve as the recent fresh snow deposits are reduced in the thaw. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh cover above 600m on Tuesday. ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits again on Wednesday. COMMENT: Current fresh snow expected to thaw on Wednesday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 15/1/02 A light cover of new snow is lying on slopes of all aspects above 400m. Strong South-Westerly winds have formed areas of potentially unstable windslab. These are mainly to be found in sheltered locations high up on steep slopes and gullies of a North through to East aspect where old snow underlies. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 16/1/02 Snow showers initially on Tuesday night with strong West-South-West winds will continue to form windslab on North to East facing slopes and in sheltered gullies above 900m. Heavy rain later in the night will bring a period of instability to areas where deep windslab lies on steep slopes. During this period the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely. Stability will start to improve during the course of the day. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover above 400m ICING: Ice starting to reform above 900m. COMMENT: Mild wet and windy on Wednesday!! SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 15/1/02 There has been a dusting of new snow and the surface layers of the snowpack have refrozen. The snowpack remains well bonded on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 16/1/02 There will be a return to milder conditions with rain and severe gale force winds. Once again the surface layers will become soft and moist. The snowpack will remain well bonded on all aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best in high E facing corries. ICING: Thawing at all levels on 16/01/02. COMMENT: Difficult mountain conditions on 16/01/02. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 15/1/02 Moderate snowfall combined with drifting on a strong Westerly wind has formed shallow deposits of fresh moderately bonded windslab. Areas most affected are where these fresh deposits are building on top of isolated old hard snow deposits. The tops of sheltered steep slopes, gullies and hollows of a North-West through North to East aspects above 850 metres are affected but are generally easy to avoid. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 16/1/02 Moderate snow on a strong becoming gale force West-South- West wind will turn to rain as the freezing level rises above the summits. Shallow deposits of moderately bonded windslab will continue to exist for a time at the tops of steep sheltered slopes, gullies and hollows of a North-West through North to East aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). As rainfall continues through the day and recent snowfall recedes the largest deposits of snow will be found in the beds of gullies of a North-West to North-East aspect above 850 metres. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow down to 400 metres, still thin and sparse though. ICING: Whats left should stay, generally very poor. COMMENT: Hope this is a return to more wintry conditions? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------