NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 30/1/02 Overnight snowfall on strong South-Westerlies caused additional slab loading on North and East aspects, mainly above 1000 metres. Early morning saw several avalanches and major sluffing. Debris was noted from avalanches cornice triggered at 1100 metres below Aladdin's Couloir, Central Gully and other locations, on North-West to North-East aspects. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Although there is some stabilisation up to 1000 metres with higher temperatures, wind transport above this level continues to increase loading. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 31/1/02 There will be further snowfall on strong mainly West and Southerly winds overnight and for several hours on Thursday afternoon. The additional loading on mainly North and East aspects will be followed by a warming later in the period. Avalanches will occur above 950 metres on the named aspects. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fairly good cover above 800m ICING: Some path icing. Crags still very thin. COMMENT: Wednesday's avalanche sites are indicated again for Thursday. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 30/1/02 Snow showers and strong SW winds are continuing to form areas of soft unstable windslab above 1000m. Greatest accumulations are on N and NE facing slopes and gullies above 1100m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche activity observed on N aspect at 1200m, Aonach Mor. Cornice collapse also noted in similar location. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 31/1/02 Snow showers will continue to affect the area during the forecast period. Winds will be strong and generally South Westerly in direction. Unstable windslab will continue to form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be present on sheltered N, NE and E facing slopes and gullies above 1100m. Avalanches are likely in the above mentioned locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices will also be present above these aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow below 1000m. ICING: Freezing level lowering overnight and rising again during Thursday. COMMENT: Winds easing later in the day. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 30/1/02 South-Westerly winds have continued to bring snow to sheltered areas above 850m. Accumulations of windslab are present in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a NNW through NE aspect. The greatest accumulations of windslab have formed around the tops of gullies and on lee slopes sheltered from the prevailing wind, mainly above 900m. The avalanche hazard is these areas is Considerable (Category 3). The temperature has risen during the day leading to further instabilities. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 31/1/02 A very strong showery WSW airflow will affect the area during Wednesday night with further snow showers above 700m. Thursday will start dry with snow showers in the latter part of the morning. The strong variable SW winds will continue to form areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations, mainly NW through to NE aspects above 850m. These new and existing accumulations will become more unstable as temperatures rise during Thursday afternoon and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 800m ICING: Ice in sheltered locations above 900m COMMENT: Fresh windslab will require caution. Buttresses are the safer option. Winds are forecast to decrease by mid-day. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 30/1/02 Moderately to weakly bonded snow is to be found on N through to SE aspects above 900 metres. Deposits are deepest in steeper sheltered locations where softer layers lie over firmer snow ice. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Below this altitude the snow is wet and generally well bonded. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 31/1/02 With the freezing level at 800 metres overnight the snowpack will begin to firm up. Moderately bonded layers will be found on N through to SE aspects above 900 metres. Snow arriving by early afternoon will build weakly bonded deposits on NW through to SE aspects above 900 metres. Avalanches are likely in sheltered locations where drifting will form deeper accumulations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Improved above 900 metres. ICING: Improving with melt/freeze cycles. COMMENT: Blizzard conditions on Thursday afternoon. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 30/1/02 The freezing level has risen once again to around 1200 metres leaving wet slab on sheltered lee slopes of a North through East to South-East aspect above 900 metres. This slab is lying on top of very icy layer giving a good sliding surface. Sleet and snow showers over the summits are having little effect on the overall snow cover. Where wet slab deposits are deepest the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 31/1/02 Snow showers will continue overnight on a severe gale force Westerly wind. Fresh windslab will bond well initially with the underlying snowpack but will become increasingly fragile as deposits deepen. Winds will then swing to the South and eventually to West-South-West. Unstable windslab will be encountered at the tops of sheltered slopes on North-West through North-East to South-East aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will remain, Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 700 metres. Easier gullies are well filled. ICING: Poor. Running with water again today (30.01.02) at 900 metres. COMMENT: Unpleasant conditions once again over the summits. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------