NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 26/1/02 The winds and snow eased off while temperatures went to just above freezing overnight. Avalanche debris was noted with a crown wall of 50 centimetres deep and 50 metres long. This was on a North aspect at 950 metres. Numerous loose snow avalanches also occurred. The snowpack still has areas, from 900 to 1000 metres, with up to 50 centimetres of foot penetration on North and South aspects. Above 1050 metres there are areas, also on a variety of aspects, with 30-40 centimetres of slab on vary soft layer above the crust. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 27/1/02 There will be some easing in weather conditions with no precipitation and light winds from the NW, later from the South. Easy shears will still exist in the previously reported slab on crust. This slab will be evident on a variety of aspects mainly above 1050 metres. The transition from scoured snow surface to the slab will be well defined and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Much improved on plateau. ICING: Needs another cooling cycle but marginally OK. COMMENT: The slab distribution is quite variable. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 26/1/02 Colder conditions have helped consolidate the existing wet snowpack. Snow showers and a Southerly airflow during Saturday have started to form areas of soft slab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are at the top of steep slopes, corrie headwalls and scarp slopes with NW through to NE aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 27/1/02 Cool dry conditions will see some consolidation in the existing snowpack. Accumulations of soft slab will remain at the tops of steep slopes, corrie headwalls and scarp slopes with NW through to NE aspects above 1000m. Some redistribution may occur onto E aspects overnight, as winds become WNW. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 800m on Saturday. ICING: Ice present on rocks above 900m. COMMENT: Colder conditions should see things improve in the next 24hrs. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 26/1/02 Milder conditions overnight have reduced the snow cover at lower levels. Fresh snow is lying above 850m. Much of the snowpack is soft and moist. Deep soft slab exists in sheltered locations with the greatest accumulations to be found in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North-West through North to North-East aspect above 950m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) where deep accumulations lie on steep ground elswhere the snowpack is generally soft moist and stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 27/1/02 Dry conditions becoming slightly colder on Sunday with variable light winds should give a reasonable day for the hill. As colder conditions affect the area the surface of the snowpack will start to become firmer at higher levels. As the consolidation process takes place the avalanche hazard will reduce to Moderate (Category 2) mainly on steeper slopes with a North- West through North to North-East aspect and in sheltered gullies above 950m. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 600m ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 600m COMMENT: New snow on higher ridges and buttresses, Deep soft slab in some gullies and hollows. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 26/1/02 There was a rise in the freezing level, which settled around 900 metres with new snowfall to around 700 metres. There was some avalanche activity from steeper slopes and gullies but this was not widespread. New accumulations were developing above 900 metres in sheltered locations on N aspects where stability of existing snow is already poor. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 27/1/02 With the freezing level around 1200 metres snow will remain moist at all altitudes. Although some consolidation will take place, deeper accumulations on steeper slopes of all aspects will remain moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Improved at plateau level. ICING: Still not a lot around where it matters. COMMENT: Freezing level due to be 1200 metres. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 26/1/02 The period of high instability has now passed. A gentle thaw has now set in with the freezing level hovering around the very summits. New snow accumulations have started to settle down leaving moderately well bonded soft slab in sheltered gullies. Deepest accumulations are on South-West to North-West aspects above 800 metres. Other aspects are well bonded underneath with shallow soft snow on the surface. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 27/1/02 It will remain dry with relatively light winds. The freezing level will remain around the summits resulting in a gentle thaw of the snowpack. There will be little change from yesterday's conditions with the deepest accumulations of moderately well bonded soft slab persisting in gullies and hollows on South- West to North-West aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 600 metres. Thawing slowly. ICING: Not so good, it needs to get a bit colder. COMMENT: We might get a dry day for a change? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------