NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 20/1/02 Mixed rain and snow above 1050 metres and the rising freezing level have been the main features of the period. The prevailing wind has been Westerly but local loading ison a variety of aspects. The new slab where tested is moist and although there is a clean shear; numerous slope tests produced no fracture. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 21/1/02 Another 24 hour cycle of some snow becoming rain with strong Westerly winds is forecast. There will be some continued slab development above 1050 metres on East, North and South aspects. Although this slab will continue to give clean shears it has very limited potential to fracture across terrain features. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Less below 1000 metres, just about the same above 1100 metres. ICING: Turf softening under remnants of ice. COMMENT: A wet windy day on the hill. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 20/1/02 Milder conditions with rain overnight have further depleted the existing snowpack. Surface wet snow instabilities are present on steep slopes and scarp slopes with N to E aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack is wet and thawing. Remaining cornices are prone to collapse. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 21/1/02 Cooler conditions at the start of the forecast period should see some consolidation in the existing wet snowpack. Moderate amounts of snow and strong SW winds will see fresh areas of soft slab form. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered steep slopes and gullies with N to E aspects above 900m. As snow turns to rain at all levels into Monday the snowpack will become increasingly suspect in the above locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best above 900m in N and E facing corries. ICING: Disappearing fast. COMMENT: Wild and warm on the tops today. Severe gales expected on Monday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 20/1/02 Rain with heavy thaw conditions at all levels has saturated the snowpack. Wet snow instabilities are present on steep slopes above 900 metres. The greatest accumulations of snow are in gullies and sheltered hollows with a North to East aspect above 870 metres. The tops of summit gullies and scarp slopes above 930 metres contain wet, unstable snow and in these locations the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cornices are prone to collapse, triggering the slopes below. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 21/1/02 Snow showers above 800 metres during the first part of Sunday night will turn to rain at all levels early on Monday morning with strong to gale force South-Westerly winds. Windslab will form at first in all sheltered areas but more especially on North to East facing slopes and also in gullies above 850 metres. Any new accumulations of fresh snow will become unstable as the freezing level rises and thaw conditions affect the area. Wet snow instabilities will exist on the above-mentioned aspects and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 850 metres. ICING: None COMMENT: Strong SW airflow with freezing level rising above the summits. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 20/1/02 With the freezing level fluctuating around 1000 metres there was a mix of rain, sleet and snow falling in storm force winds. Falling snow and subsequent drifting added very little to recent accumulations which although soft remain moderately well bonded. The deepest accumulations are to be found in Gully exits and other sheltered locations on N through SE aspects over 950 metres most of which are avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 21/1/02 Overnight snow falling in storm force winds will lead to a rapid build up of unstable windslab before falling snow turns to rain. Moderately to weakly bonded accumulations will be found above 900 metres in very sheltered locations on N through SE aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New wet snow from 950 m. ICING: Subject to thaw. COMMENT: Freezing level due to be above the tops. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 20/1/02 A period of heavy snowfall overnight gave way to rain as the temperature climbed well above the summits. North through East to South-East aspects above 850 metres are now covered in wet slab with the deepest deposits in the larger gullies. Fresh avalanche debris was noted in Coire a Chriochairein on a North- East aspect. Fresh cornices remain above North to East aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 21/1/02 Once again a period of heavy snow overnight on an at times hurricane force South-Westerly wind will deposit fresh windslab on to North through East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. This snow will turn to rain as the freezing level climbs leaving unstable wet slab on the same aspects with the greatest threat in the deeper gullies. Cornices will remain suspect in the mild conditions. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches are likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Horrible slush and wet snow down to 700 metres. ICING: Some poor icicles are holding on. Climbing not recommended. COMMENT: Three layers of waterproofs on Monday! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------