NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 1/2/02 Once again very strong West and South-West winds have combined with rising temperatures and a mixture of rain and snow. Even though the freezing level went to 1245 metres there have been significant snow accumulations above 1000 metres on East and North aspects. The top 5-10 centimetres is moist but there is over 1 metre of colder, drier new snow in lee locations. Cornice breaks were noted. They did not propagate or release snow below. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 2/2/02 An additional mix of snow and rain is forecast with summit temperatures staying just below freezing. Strong winds will continue from the South-West. Now that terrain features above 950 metres have filled in more completely the new slab will extend further down and across slopes. New cornices will break easily. Avalanches will occur above 950 metres mainly on East and North aspects. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: There has been a net gain in plateau snow cover in the past 24 hours. ICING: Also slowly re-building or building. COMMENT: In the increased overall snow cover the new slab will be harder to identify. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 1/2/02 Warm conditions and rain during Friday have produced an unstable moist snowpack at all levels. Areas of high instability are present on steep N, NE and E facing slopes and gullies above 800m. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Avalanche debris noted below No 2 Gully, Ben Nevis. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 2/2/02 Strong SW winds and snow showers above 800m are expected during the next 24 hours. The existing wet snowpack will re-freeze above 900m. Fresh areas of unstable windslab will form in areas sheltered from the SW winds. Greatest accumulations will be at the tops of N, NE and E facing slopes and gullies. Avalanches are likely in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices will continue to form. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all but the highest elevation today (Friday). ICING: Getting slightly cooler again on Saturday. COMMENT: Winds remaining strong. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 1/2/02 The area has been affected by heavy thaw conditions with rain all levels. The snowpack is saturated with moisture and wet snow instabilities exist on most steep slopes. However the greatest hazard exists on steep slopes where previous windslab was present i.e. on NW through to NE aspects above 850m. Cornices are very unstable. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Debris from 4 natural wet snow avalanches recorded today on slopes of various aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 2/2/02 Very strong SW winds and snow showers above 800m will affect the area. The old wet snowpack will start to consolidate above 800m with the initial new snow deposits adhering well. However windslab will quickly form with the very strong SW winds. The greatest new deposits of windslab will be on N through to E facing slopes and in all sheltered areas above 800m. These will be moderately bonded particularly on steep slopes. The avalanche in these areas will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 800m should start to freeze during Friday night. ICING: Thawing, some wet ice above 930m. COMMENT: Conditions should start to improve with new snow and colder temperatures. Still windy! SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 1/2/02 Snow and strong winds have continued to form windslab in very sheltered locations on NW through to SE aspects above 850 metres. Deposits on N to E aspects above 900 metres in particular are significant and failed easily during shear tests. Surface layers only have become moist in the brief thaw. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Exposed areas are scoured and icy. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 2/2/02 Instability will persist on NW through to SE aspects above 850 metres. Snow showers and drifting will continue to build windslab in sheltered locations on N to E aspects. Avalanches will occur due to the further loading of these weakly bonded deposits. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Unstable cornices will develop. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: More continuous above 900m. ICING: Only a brief thaw today above 900 metres. COMMENT: Careful route choice required for 2/2/02. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 1/2/02 A mild South-Westerly airflow has covered the region, with any snowfall turning to rain at all levels during the morning. The snowpack has become saturated, with unstable wet slab on North-West through North-East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Numerous avalanches have occurred with fresh debris noted beside Bellevue Buttress, in Easy Gully, the Sash and in Cinderella. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 2/2/02 Colder temperatures overnight and during the day will aid the consolidation process, freezing yesterday's wet snowpack. Although the underlying snowpack will consolidate, further snow showers drifting on a severe gale force South-Westerly wind will cause fresh accumulations of unstable windslab to form on sheltered slopes on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches are likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow down to 700 metres. Lots of snow in the deeper gullies. ICING: Poor. There is thin, poor quality ice on most routes with only the very highest icefalls being properly frozen. COMMENT: There are large cornices above Bellevue Buttress and above the Inner Coire. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------