NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 22/1/02 Slightly colder conditions with Westerly winds gusting over one hundred mph have led to some consolidation of the snowpack above 1100 metres. Showers have been of snow above this level, leading to a dusting at these altitudes. The remaining snowpack is well bonded on all aspects and tests at 1000 metres produced only ragged shears. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 23/1/02 Moderating winds, changing direction by daylight from West to East, along with significant snowfall, will cause rapid accumulation of new windslab above 800 metres. These new deposits will exist on slopes of most aspects. Where old re- frozen snow underlies, particularly on headwalls and in gullies in many North-facing corries, avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New accumulations above 800m may be substantial. ICING: Some ice exists in gully beds and will be an additional avalanche hazard when buried. COMMENT: A return to winter but less blustery on Wednesday. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 22/1/02 Cooler temperatures during the later part of the forecast period have helped consolidate the existing snowpack. Localised wet snow instabilities are present on steep N and E aspects above 1000m. A light dusting of sleet and snow above 1000m has not significantly effected the current conditions. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 23/1/02 Colder conditions with strong WSW winds will see rain gradually replaced with snow as the forecast period progresses. Fresh areas of unstable snow will form on N through to E aspects above 1000m. Instabilities will at first be restricted to where fresh deposits overlie older areas of snow. As snowfall becomes heavy into Wednesday with strong ESE winds, the hazard will become more widespread in distribution with fresh areas of unstable snow forming on W to NW aspects above 800m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best above 900m.Thin and patchy. ICING: Looking better for Wednesday above 900m. COMMENT: Hazard of being blown into the many burns on the Ben today. Remaining windy into Wednesday with much awaited snow. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 22/1/02 Stormy conditions with sleet and hail above 900m have saturated the snowpack. Wet snow instabilities are present on steep slopes above 900m. These areas are mainly to be found around the tops of sheltered gullies and scarp slopes with a North through to East aspect. In these locations the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cornices are also unstable and prone to collapse. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 23/1/02 The stormy conditions will continue overnight with Southerly winds and heavy falls of sleet and snow. Colder conditions on Wednesday will bring heavy snowfall above 800m with an East- South-East gale force wind. Unstable accumulations of windslab will form in all sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North-West to North-East aspect mainly above 900m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely. Cornices will be unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 850m. ICING: None COMMENT: Heavy snow and a bit colder. Windslab and cornices will require caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 22/1/02 The freezing level was around 1200 metres today with precipitation falling as rain at 900 metres and wet snow above 950 metres. The remaining snow is wet and soft with water saturated layers. Bonding is generally good on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 23/1/02 Sleet falling as snow on the highest summits will accumulate in sheltered locations on N to E aspects overnight. By morning snow above 800 metres will be deposited in sheltered locations on W to N aspects. Where new deposits accumulate over snow ice on steeper ground the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy with high N to E corries holding most. ICING: Highest corries have some ice left. COMMENT: Blizzard conditions at times on 23/1/02. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 22/1/02 The thaw has continued with driving rain on a hurricane force Westerly wind. The snowpack has continued to retreat with the largest areas remaining in the bigger gullies on North through East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. Wet slab in these areas is reasonably well bonded and only due to the risk of cornice collapse in the mild conditions is the avalanche hazard remaining, Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 23/1/02 Sleet will turn to snow overnight on a gale force East to South- East wind. Significant accumulations of new snow will drift onto West to North aspects above 850 metres building unstable windslab over any remaining older snow in the deeper gullies. Cross loading will also affect North-Easterly aspects. Areas such as the tops of Raeburn's, Easy Gully and Cinderella will be most affected. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Sparse. Largest areas in the North to East facing gullies. Looks like it'll improve though. ICING: Poor but should start to improve. COMMENT: Main problem today was staying on your feet in the 80 mph wind! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------