NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 7/2/02 Overnight there were new snow deposits above 500 metres but by afternoon there was rain to the summit. There was a rapid rise in temperature during late morning and very strong Westerly winds throughout the period. A large avalanche crown wall and debris were noted on a North aspect at 900 metres in Coire Laogh Mor. Some stabilization of slopes is occurring but easy shears are still being observed at test sites. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 8/2/02 Strong West and South-West winds will persist with rain also forecast. There will continue to be areas above 900 metres with up to 40 centimetres of foot penetration on North and East aspects. Avalanches will occur in these areas particularly on convex shaped terrain or triggered by cornice collapse. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Scoured areas on West and South aspects; filling in on North and East aspects above 650 metres. ICING: Still not an overabundance; although if this thaw is followed by a freeze it will help. COMMENT: As noted above even in a low snow season there is potential for large avalanches. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 7/2/02 A rapid rise in the freezing level this morning has produced large areas of unstable wet snow at all levels. Greatest accumulations are on N, NE, E and SE facing slopes and gullies above 900m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche debris noted below Point Five Gully, Ben Nevis. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 8/2/02 Snow showers overnight will be replaced by rain at all levels during Friday. Large areas of unstable snow will be present, main accumulations being on N, NE, E and SE facing slopes and gullies above 900m. Avalanches will occur in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels on Thursday. Good cover above 700m. ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits again on Friday. COMMENT: Winds remaining strong throughout. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 7/2/02 New snow last night formed areas of windslab in sheltered locations adding to existing deposits. Deepest and most extensive accumulations are to be found in all gullies sheltered from recent prevailing winds and on slopes with a North to South-East aspect above 900m. Milder conditions today have moistened the snowcover. Weaknesses exist deep within the snowpack on steep ground and cornices are very prone to collapse. Avalanche debris noted below East facing slopes at 900m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 8/2/02 New snow overnight above 1000m will turn to heavy rain during the course of Friday. Deep accumulations of wet slab will form as heavy rain affects the snowpack in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North through to South-East aspect mainly above 900m. Wet snow avalanches are likely on steep slopes and gullies where deep accumulations exist.The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Above 700m on Thursday ICING: Wet ice above 850m COMMENT: Cornices will remain prone to collapse. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 7/2/02 Wind transport has been the dominating feature with drifting continuing after the early morning snow ceased. Significant deposits of weakly bonded windslab are to be found in sheltered locations on mainly N to E aspects although cross loading has occurred. The late morning temperature rise has yet to affect the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). New cornices are fragile. Exposed slopes are scoured. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 8/2/02 Strong SW winds and rain at all levels by early afternoon will destabilise all recent deposits causing a period of avalanche activity. Deepest deposits will be found on mainly N to E aspects although sheltered locations on most aspects will be affected. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. Cornice failure will be a potential trigger for slopes beneath. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Ski touring now possible. ICING: Improving with strong snow-ice base. COMMENT: Conditions deteriorating by afternoon. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 7/2/02 Overnight snow showers combined with drifting on a strong North-West wind have continued to load pre-existing deep weakly bonded hard windslab deposits. North through East to South aspects above 750 metres are affected. Through the day a mild Westerly airflow and rain have begun to moisten windslab deposits and a period of high instability has begun. Weak sub-surface layers at 40-50 cm depth are present and avalanche activity was observed from South-East and East aspects: debris run outs are long. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 8/2/02 Dry and slightly colder overnight temperatures will slow avalanche activity for a time. However rising temperatures and heavy rain on a storm force South-West wind will again bring about a period of high instability. Moist weakly bonded deep windslab will persist on North through East to South aspects above 750 metres. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 700 metres. ICING: Poor and buried. COMMENT: Large unstable cornices still exist above most North and East aspects. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------