NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 19/1/02 Continued Westerly winds and some periods of snow have contributed to small slabs developing in a variety of gully exit aspects and some down slope areas to 900 metres. In a number of tests the slab showed no failure across the slope. Some minor cornice development was also noted on a Northerly aspect. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 20/1/02 Another very changeable period is forecast with the greatest concern being the freezing level going to 1600 metres. Rain and snow are also forecast with continued South-West to West-South-West winds. The slab will be unstable over very steep, convex terrain. Newly formed cornices will also be weak due to warming. The slab, above 900 metres on various aspects but easily identifiable by foot penetration, can usually be avoided. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: An encouraging and distinct snow line from 900 metres. ICING: 'Cascade' is a smear of see-through ice and under re- construction. COMMENT: Snow patches still require growth for a ski run. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 19/1/02 Snow showers and strong W to SW winds have formed fresh deposits of soft slab in sheltered locations. Significant amounts have been transported in the stronger winds and are accumulating in the tops of gullies, corrie headwalls and scarp slopes with N to E aspects above 900m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cornices forming above many steep N and E aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 20/1/02 A period of wet snow instability will occur as milder conditions move into the forecast area early on Sunday. Soft slab deposits in gullies and on steep slopes with N to E aspects above 900m will become increasingly suspect as snow turns to rain, and the freezing level rises above the summits. Avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 700m, best cover in high N and E facing corries. ICING: Improving above 1000m on the Ben today (Saturday) COMMENT: Routes around No 3 Gully Buttress and North Gully seeing ascents today on the Ben, as well as the ridges. Warm and remaining windy for Sunday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 19/1/02 Further new snow deposits with continuing strong South-Westerly winds have produced some instability. The greatest accumulations of new snow have formed in gullies and in sheltered locations with a North through to East aspect above 850m. Windslab has also formed in the above mentioned areas with the top of summit gullies and scarp slopes above 930m being the greatest hazard. Where deep accumulations of snow and windslab exist on steep slopes the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 20/1/02 Snow showers through Saturday night will turn to rain at all levels early on Sunday morning with strong to gale force SW to SSW winds. Accumulations of windslab will continue to form at first in all sheltered areas but more especially on North through to East facing slopes and also in sheltered gullies above 800m. As thaw conditions affect the area wet snow instabilities will exist in the above mentioned locations and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION:New snow above 700m. ICING: Ice forming above 850m. COMMENT: Showery SW airflow becoming mild bringing rain to all levels by Sunday morning. Freezing level rising to above the summits. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 19/1/02 It was a wintry day with severe gale force winds and snow showers to around 700 metres. New moderately bonded slab has formed mainly on N to SE aspects in very sheltered locations. Gully exits are most affected where new slab has developed over older snow-ice. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). These areas are generally avoidable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 20/1/02 The winds will again return from the SW bringing milder conditions. With freezing levels above the tops any snowfall will turn to rain. On N through SE aspects recent slab developments on steeper slopes above 900 metres will soften but remain moderately bonded. Here the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) with most of these areas avoidable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover from around 800 metres. ICING: Starting to show some promise again although this might be short lived. COMMENT: Freezing level above the tops. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 19/1/02 Snow showers on a severe gale force Westerly wind, have caused heavy drifting on to lee slopes of a North through East to South- East aspect above 850 metres. Recently, only sheltered hollows and gullies have been affected but now more open slopes have formed significant unstable accumulations of windslab up to a metre deep in places. Fresh cornices have continued to build above lee slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 20/1/02 A period of heavy snow on a severe gale force South-Westerly wind will continue to build windslab on North through East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. This snow will turn to rain as the freezing level climbs causing new slab to become saturated and increasingly fragile. Once again the greatest hazard will be in the bigger gullies where accumulations are deepest. Fresh cornices will become prone to collapse in the milder air. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches are likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow down to 700 metres. ICING: Plenty of snow on the cliffs but very little ice. COMMENT: Full winter conditions on top today (19.1.02). Pity its going to turn wet and mild again. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------