NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 16/1/02 Some rain over the top has moistened and settled in the previously reported recent slab on Easterly aspects and in lee pockets above 1000 metres. The wind continues from the West with temperature at 1245 metres just on the freezing mark. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 17/1/02 Snow in the forecast above 1000 metres on West-South-West winds will add to the limited accumulations on Easterly aspects and lee pockets. The slab will develop in cooling conditions and the amount forecast will produce some unstable slab. This slab will be in quite isolated locations that already have old snow cover. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still skiing on Ptarmigan area of Cairngorm. ICING: The wee lochans in Coire an t-Sneachda are ice free. COMMENT: Many European alpine resorts are also suffering from severe shortage of snow but at least we have some in the forecast. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 16/1/02 Rain spreading to all elevations during Wednesday has led to a moist snowpack. During the course of the day, the thaw has helped stabilise the recent slab deposits. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 17/1/02 Precipitation falling as snow above 1000m is expected overnight with more showery weather during Thursday. Winds will be moderate to strong SW throughout the period. Fresh areas of unstable windslab will form in sheltered locations. Significant accumulations will be restricted to the tops of N, NE and E facing slopes and gullies above 1100m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels again today (Wednesday). ICING: Freezing level lowering to around 1100m during Thursday. COMMENT: Winds easing slightly on Thursday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 16/1/02 New snow above 750m is rapidly thawing helped with the strong SW winds and heavy rain at all levels. Areas of potentially unstable wet snow still exist. These conditions are mainly in sheltered locations above 900m in gullies and on steeper slopes with a North through to East aspect. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) in these locations. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 17/1/02 Rain at most levels with strong SW winds will affect the area during Wednesday night. Some rain and sleet above 800m is expected during Thursday. The snowpack will remain moist but generally stable, however on steeper slopes some wet snow instabilities may still exist. These conditions are likely to be found on North through to east facing slopes and in sheltered gullies above 900m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Any remaining cornices will unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snows above 750m this is thawing and the level rising. ICING: Ice starting to reform above 900m but very wet. COMMENT: Showery airflow giving milder but still wet and windy. Becoming slightly colder on Thursday afternoon. The summits should still have some snows. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 16/1/02 Strong winds combined with mild temperatures have again led to thaw conditions at all levels. Remaining snow is well bonded on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 17/1/02 The freezing level will drop to around summit level with higher peaks receiving snow overnight. In higher N to E facing corries where new accumulations develop over existing snow-ice stability will be marginal. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere snow will remain generally well bonded. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best in high E facing corries. ICING: Not much left. Ground still frozen above 850 metres. COMMENT: Freezing level will be around 1100 metres. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 16/1/02 Heavy persistent rain combined with a temperature of +2.3 degrees centigrade at 1000 metres on a strong South-West wind has left recent shallow deposits of windslab depleted. However isolated deeper accumulations found at the tops of sheltered steep slopes, gullies and hollows of a North to East aspect above 850 metres are still only moderately bonded to underlying old snow deposits but are easily avoided. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 17/1/02 Moderate snow on a strong South Westerly wind overnight and tomorrow will accumulate moderately bonded fresh windslab on North-West through North to East aspects above 850 metres. Areas particularly affected will be the tops of steep sheltered slopes, gullies and hollows where accumulations will be deepest and overlie old hard snow deposits. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Fresh cornices will also begin to build as drifting occurs. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Vague snow line at 800 metres, patchy and thin. ICING: Just about enough left for a couple of G&Ts. COMMENT: Hopefully a more permanent return to winter on Thursday (17/1/02). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------