NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 4/2/02 Moderate snow amounts accompanied by strong winds mainly from the South and South-West have contributed to slab build- up above 850 metres. The distribution of the slab is highly variable on local terrain features and covers nearly every quadrant of the compass. Where sampled the slab shears easily due to a firm surface layer sitting on a few centimetres of softer snow below. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 5/2/02 Strong winds will continue from the South-West while precipitation will ease off with the possibility of a few snow showers down to 650 metres. Cornice and storm slab instability will persist through the forecast period. Scoured zones and areas with the storm slab will existabove 850 metres on both lee and windward slopes dependent on local loading conditions. This variability will extend both up and across slopes. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still some scoured and near bare ground but significant build-up in most areas. ICING: Definite growth spurt on. COMMENT: All aspects above 850 metres have avalanche potential. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 4/2/02 Heavy snowfall has left significant deposits of unstable soft slab. Under test this slab fails easily and is weakly bonded to a smooth hard frozen layer. Distribution of this slab is variable with crown walls observed on NE, E and SE aspects on Aonach Mor. Increasing Southerly winds and snow showers during Monday are forming fresh areas of unstable slab on NW through to NE aspects above 800m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Weak cornices above these aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 5/2/02 Snow showers and strong SW winds will see areas of unstable slab build on sheltered N through to E aspects above 800m. Greatest accumulations will be present on scarp slopes, crag aprons and gullies where avalanches are likely. Older existing slab may remain on other sheltered aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices building above these aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying above 500m on Monday. ICING: Many routes starting to come into condition. COMMENT: Wind blown slopes are hard frozen. Winds remaining strong. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 4/2/02 New snow combined with wind transportation of existing snow have formed deep accumulations of unstable dense windslab in areas sheltered from the strong Southerly winds. Greatest accumulations are in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a West through North to East aspect above 900m with tops of gullies particularly affected. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 5/2/02 A rise in temperatures overnight with light sleet at all levels will initially bring a period of higher instability to existing windslab. Slightly colder conditions during the course of Tuesday will start to improve stability of existing windslab but moderate snowfall and strong South-West winds will form areas of fresh unstable windslab on North to East slopes and in sheltered gullies mainly above 900m. Avalanches are likely in these areas The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 400m ICING: Above 850m. COMMENT:New snow on higher routes with deep soft snow in many gullies. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 4/2/02 There was no new snowfall during the observation period but drifting of recent deposits was occurring. Weakly bonded windslab exists in sheltered locations on NW through to E aspects above 850 metres. Deposits are significant and failed easily under a low additional load. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 5/2/02 After a period of activity overnight surface layers will become moist as the freezing level rises to 1100 metres before settling at 1000 metres. Drier moderately to weakly bonded snow will exist in deeper deposits on NW through to E aspects above 900 metres. Areas most likely to be affected are steeper sheltered locations above 1000 metres. Below this altitude the snowpack will begin to consolidate. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will be potential triggers. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best above 900 metres. ICING: Subject to fluctuating freezing level. COMMENT: Keen skiers tourers on Meall Odhar today. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 4/2/02 Although milder at lower altitudes and raining, snow showers above 750 metres on a strong West-South-West wind have continued. Moderately bonded windslab deposits are building as drifting occurs on North-West through North to East aspects above 800 metres. Sheltered gullies and hollows and the tops of steep sheltered aspects hold the deepest deposits but shallow deposits can also be found on more open slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 5/2/02 Although dry, drifting of recent unconsolidated snow will continue on a strong to gale force South-West wind. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab will continue to affect North-West through North to East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). Deepest deposits will be found in sheltered gullies and hollows and at the tops of steep sheltered slopes of the above mentioned aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. ICING: Routes remain poor with thin poor quality ice at lower altitudes. COMMENT: Large unstable cornices building on aspects mentioned in report. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------