SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/1/02 The freezing level has stayed around 900 metres leaving snow generally well bonded and stable on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Deeper areas of snow are to be found on NW through to SE aspects above 850 metres. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/1/02 Overnight snow will lead to new accumulations developing on N to E aspects before the arrival of rain instigates an active avalanche period. By morning the freezing level will be above the tops and most of the activity will have slowed but a few softer unstable areas will remain. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some ski touring possible for the keen. ICING: Has improved with watercourses giving better options. COMMENT: Freezing level due to be around 1300metres. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/1/02 A gentle thaw has continued with the freezing level hovering around the summits. Last night, temperatures dipped far enough to further consolidate the snowpack. Moderately well bonded hard slab can now be found on all aspects. Deepest accumulations are on North-West through North-East to East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/1/02 Moderate snowfall overnight on a strengthening storm force South-West wind will cause heavy drifting for a time onto North to East aspects above 900 metres. Windslab will build for a time on these aspects before the temperature climbs and fresh snow deposits become heavy and damp, turning to wet slab. It will become colder once again later in the period helping to consolidate these fresh deposits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 650 metres. ICING: Still poor. Nothing to get excited about. COMMENT: More clag on the way. Whoopee! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/1/02 A period of calm dry weather overnight allowed a degree of consolidation to occur within the snowpack. Precipitation falling as snow on the highest slopes on Sunday afternoon has formed soft slab in sheltered locations with the greatest accumulations to be found around the tops of gullies and on slopes with a North-West through North to North-East aspect above 950m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) but will rise later as further snow affects the area. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/1/02 Moderate falls of new snow overnight above 900m with strong South-Westerly winds will initially form unstable accumulations of windslab in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North to East aspect. As temperatures rise and snow turns to rain by morning a period of avalanche activity is likely. The avalanche hazard will initially be Considerable (Category 3) with stability improving later as colder conditions return. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 600m ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 800m COMMENT: Snow on higher ridges and buttresses, Deep soft slab in some gullies and hollows. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/1/02 Todays weather with mostly light to moderate Southerly and Westerly winds and temperatures of -2 at the summit have meant there has been little change in the deeper snowpack that still has the clean shear down 50 centimetres on various aspects above 1050 metres. There have been snow showers and this new snow is showing slab characteristics in some lee North-Easterly pockets above 1000 metres. At this time it is not an avalanche hazard. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/1/02 Snow followed by rain and strong South-West winds will occur in the forecast period. The previously reported deep instability has still not been through a rain event that will contribute to a more widespread avalanche cycle. Avalanches will occur on rain soaked slopes where the slab exists on open slopes of various aspects above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A few skiers checking out the snow distribution on the plateau. ICING: Little change in minimalist conditions; the less is more ethic. COMMENT: The timing of the warming cycle will be crucial. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------