NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 14/2/02 The Westerly winds have continued with significant snow transport into East aspects (up to 50 centimetre of foot penetration) especially above 900 metres. Even on Westerly aspects there are pockets of slab, although they are not as extensive as on North, East and South facing slopes. Where tested the firm slab sheared easily on very soft snow below. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 15/2/02 There is evening rain in the forecast but it will not go above 500 metres. Some snow showers and the cold temperatures continuing in the snowpack will maintain the firm slab on soft snow instability. The most extensive slab will be on East aspects above 900 metres. Smaller pockets will also exist on North, South and even West aspects where it can be more easily avoided. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The gentle slopes of Coire Raibert and Coire Domhain offer good ski touring. ICING: Still thin in places but the best conditions of the winter. COMMENT: Various tests all show the slab over soft snow instability. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 14/2/02 Above 1100m, areas of surface slab are present mainly on N, NE, E and SE aspects. On scarp slopes above 1050m, the strong SW winds have deposited fresh areas of snow on N, NE and E aspects. All the above mentioned snow deposits are moderately well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Below 1050m, snow stability is generally good. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 15/2/02 A slight thaw is expected during Friday with light rain at all levels. Surface instabilities will be present on steep N, NE and E aspects above 1100m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Below 1100m, snowpack stability will remain generally good. Cornices will become increasingly unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover remains above 800m. ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits on Friday. COMMENT: Strong summit winds continuing. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 14/2/02 The cold temperatures have maintained a stable snowpack. A trace of new snow exists above 750m: these new accumulations are not significant. The colder airflow along with lower temperatures has refrozen the old moist snowpack. The snowpack is now generally well bonded and stable conditions exist at all levels. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 15/2/02 The cold conditions will continue to affect the area during Thursday night with some very light snow showers above 500m. Milder conditions and strong westerly winds during Friday will start to thaw the snowpack below 900m. Some wet snow instabilities will exist on steep slopes and cornices will become unstable. Where weakly bonded wet snow exists on steep slopes the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Above 900m the snowpack will remain generally well bonded and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800m ICING: Ice has started to reform above 350m. COMMENT: Climbing conditions are generally good with old refrozen snow on most routes above 850m. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 14/2/02 It has remained cold allowing existing snow to be redistributed by the strong winds from the SW. Deep new unstable windslab is rapidly developing mainly on NE to SE aspects above 900 metres but pockets of slab are still to be found in other sheltered locations. Accumulations are moderately to weakly bonded with exposed slopes scoured. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 15/2/02 It will stay cool overnight but the freezing level will rise to 1300 metres during the day. Sheltered areas on NE to SE aspects above 900 metres will continue to hold deeper areas of windslab. Stability will remain poor, particularly on gully exits and scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). New cornices will be suspect. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 900 metres. ICING: Better in the highest N to E facing corries. COMMENT: Reasonable touring for those prepared to carry skis up to snowline. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 14/2/02 It remained fairly calm and dry overnight with cold temperatures. During the late morning, winds picked up enough from the South-West to cause drifting of existing snow. On South-East to South-West aspects, isolated pockets of windslab are gradually being scoured and redistributed onto North to East facing aspects above 850 metres. This fresh windslab is very fragile but as yet still too shallow to cause any great hazard. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 15/2/02 Overnight, snow will continue to drift on a strong to gale force Westerly wind. Unstable windslab will continue to build on North through East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. During the day the freezing level will rise to well above the summits, causing fresh windslab to become saturated, heavy and unstable. The mild temperatures will cause cornices to become suspect and liable to collapse. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 800 metres. If you're prepared to walk there's good skiing high up. ICING: Poor. There's plenty snow on the cliffs but not much ice. COMMENT: There are large cornices above many North to East aspects. Happy Valentines Day! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------