NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/1/02 There have been up to a couple of centimetres of new snow above 950 metres that has in a few places drifted into pockets up to several centimetres. No new slab characteristics were observed. One test produced a hard, clean shear immediately below the dense surface crusts on a soft layer of moist, coarse melt freeze grains. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/1/02 Rain, stronger than gale force winds from the South-South-West and temperatures warming mainly tomorrow afternoon are the main features of the forecast period. This will create some instability in new snow which will result in some sluffing on very steep rock. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Slight change in appearance above 1000 metres. ICING: Still very lean but today's temperature regime was encouraging. COMMENT: The surface crust in most areas is sitting on an isothermal snowpack resulting in spring conditions in the mid- pack. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/1/02 Colder conditions with snow showers and a strong W/SW airflow have formed isolated areas of soft slab in sheltered locations above 900m. Deposits are mainly restricted to scarp slopes and gullies with N through NE to E aspects, and are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack is well bonded and stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/1/02 The current cold conditions will be replaced by a rising freezing level and rain at all levels on Friday. Existing isolated areas of soft slab will become increasingly wet and suspect. Wet snow instabilities will be present on scarp slopes and gullies with N through NE to E aspects above 900m, especially where fresh deposits overlie areas of older hard snow. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will become wet and generally stable. Cornices prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 700m today. ICING: Freezing above 1000m today. (Thursday) COMMENT: Gale to Storm force SW winds expected by Friday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/1/02 New snow above 850m is rapidly thawing helped with the strong SW winds and rising temperatures. Isolated areas of potentially unstable wet snow exist. These conditions are mainly in sheltered locations above 900m in gullies and on steeper slopes with a North to East aspect. Where deeper accumulations of snow is present the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) . AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/1/02 Colder air overnight and very light snow showers above 700m will be replaced by mild conditions with rain at all levels accompanied by gale force SSW winds. The light snow cover will diminish with only deeper accumulations remaining. These will be moist but generally stable. However on steeper slopes some wet snow instabilities may still exist. These conditions are likely to be found on North East facing slopes and in sheltered gullies above 900m. Avalanche hazard Low (Category 1): cornices that are left will unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 800m is thawing and the level will rise during Friday. ICING: Any remaining ice will be thawing. COMMENT: Strong showery SSW airflow giving very mild conditions. Freezing level well above the summits. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/1/02 It was a cooler day with strong winds. Old snow is generally well frozen and there was a dusting of new snow on higher tops. New slab build up was limited to a few sheltered locations on E aspects but this was not enough to alter the avalanche hazard which is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/1/02 The freezing level will rise to above the summits and any snow will turn to rain. Snow will soften during the day but remain generally stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Only a few easy gullies complete in higher N to E corries. ICING: Not much around. COMMENT: Likely to be an unpleasant day on the hill. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/1/02 Overnight rain and mild temperatures have aided consolidation of recent shallow windslab deposits. However occasional heavy showers of snow above 850 metres on a strong West-North- West wind, combined with light drifting have left isolated areas of moderately bonded windslab on North to East aspects above 900 metres. Areas most affected are the tops of sheltered steep slopes, gullies and hollows where fresh deposits overlie old hard snow deposits but are generally easily avoided. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/1/02 Overnight conditions will remain dry with freezing levels hovering around the summits. Then as freezing levels rise quickly tomorrow and heavy rain on a gale force South-Westerly wind moves in there will be a brief period of instability. Isolated areas of fresh moderately bonded windslab that have formed at the tops of sheltered steep slopes, gullies and hollows of a North to East aspect above 900 metres will become suspect, particularly where deposits overlie old hard snow deposits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally patchy and thin. ICING: In need of drastic climatic change. COMMENT: If you don't have to go out tomorrow- then stay in your bed! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------