NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 29/1/02 Overnight snow at all levels thawed to 700 metres by mid-day. However plateau temperatures remained below freezing as winds moderated and backed South-Westerly. Variable wind directions over the past few days have resulted in slab loading on most aspects. The deep-seated weakness is still present and easy shears were obtained at an East-facing test site at 1100 metres. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 30/1/02 Further snowfall in the morning on strong South-West winds will bring additional loading on existing weak layers on North and East aspects, where new cornice build-up will also take place. Existing slab on other aspects will see some stabilisation. Scarp slopes and approaches to climbs above 900 metres will have variable slab distribution and are the areas most likely to have underlying snow-ice. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 700 metres. Plateau cover improving. ICING: On the mend, but still scant. COMMENT: A relief from recent extreme winds. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 29/1/02 Snow showers with SW winds have formed areas of soft slab in sheltered locations. With rising temperatures and snow turning to rain these deposits are becoming increasingly suspect. Accumulations are present on N through to E aspects above 900m. Deepest accumulations are on sheltered crag aprons, scarp slopes and the tops of gullies. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cornices are prone to collapse. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 30/1/02 Strong SW winds with heavy amounts of snow at higher altitudes will add to existing deposits of unstable slab. Accumulations will continue to form on sheltered N through to E aspects, particularly scarp slopes, crag aprons and sheltered gullies above 950m, where avalanches are likely. Below 950m the remaining snowpack will become increasingly wet and depleted. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations above 800m ICING: Freezing level hovering just below the summits. COMMENT: Rain and sleet at lower levels, just about winter on the summits. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 29/1/02 Stormy conditions have brought new snow above 850m. Strong but variable Southerly winds have formed unstable accumulations of windslab in sheltered gullies and on slopes with North-West through North to East aspects mainly above 900m. The greatest accumulations of windslab have formed around the tops of gullies and on lee slopes sheltered from the prevailing wind. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 30/1/02 A strong showery SW airflow will affect the area during Tuesday night and Wednesday, with snow showers at first turning to moderate rain at most levels as temperatures rise. The strong SW winds will continue to form areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations mainly on NW through to NE aspects. Above 900m these accumulations will become more unstable as temperatures rise during Wednesday and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 700m ICING: Ice in sheltered locations above 900m COMMENT: Fresh windslab will require caution. Buttresses are the safer option. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 29/1/02 There is new snow falling at all levels with little drifting. Above 900 metres on N through to SE aspects new accumulations are developing over existing snow-ice and are moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 30/1/02 The freezing level will rise to 1050 metres overnight and there will be little new snow. This temperature rise will lead to a period of instability on steeper slopes above 900 metres on N through to SE aspects. Activity will slow during the day but some unstable areas will remain. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Older snow-ice very hard from wind scouring. ICING: Plenty underfoot! Buttresses white. COMMENT: Cover improved above 900 metres. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 29/1/02 After a freeze last night, yesterday's wet snowpack consolidated. Then, fresh snow fell at all levels on fairly light variable winds depositing soft slab in sheltered gullies. Winds have picked up and swung to the West-South-West causing drifting on to predominantly North-West through North-East to East aspects above 850 metres. Accumulations of windslab are as yet shallow but lie upon a very icy sliding surface. Considerable (Category 3) avalanche hazard. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 30/1/02 Overnight, snow will continue to drift on a gale force South- Westerly wind. Fresh, unstable windslab will continue to build in gullies and hollows on North to East aspects above 850 metres. A period of snowfall during the morning will only add to the drifting onto these aspects with windslab deposits deepening rapidly. Fresh cornices will continue to grow. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches are likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 600 metres. ICING: Still thin. Icefalls running with water at 900 metres. Only the very highest ice is properly frozen. COMMENT: Snow cover is gradually improving. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------