NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/2/02 There have been strong Westerly winds, new snow load and temperatures down to minus 6 degrees at the summit. New slab has formed on Easterly aspects. An avalanche incident occurred on an Easterly aspect at 1000 metres. Additional small slabs were also released by climbers. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/2/02 Additional snow is forecast with temperatures remaining in the minus 5 degree range at the summit. The North-West winds will contribute to a more widespread distribution of the slab. It will be more extensive, release more deeply and cover more aspects especially East and South-East above 900 metres. Avalanches will occur and the avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The pockets of slab instability will become much larger. ICING: Another net gain day through growth and use. COMMENT: Watch for highly variable loading on minor terrain features. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/2/02 Strong SW winds with heavy snow have formed significant areas of unstable soft slab. Under test clean shears of up to 75cm were obtained on sheltered NE and E aspects. Greatest accumulations are on sheltered N through E to SE aspects above 800m. Scarp slopes and gullies are particularly affected, however large open slopes are becoming increasingly suspect. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Large unstable cornices forming above the mentioned aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/2/02 Little change to the existing weakly bonded snowpack will occur during the forecast period. Snow showers will decrease, but cold temperatures will maintain the instability. Significant areas of unstable soft slab will be present on sheltered N through E to SE aspects above 800m. As winds veer to the NW sheltered S aspects may also be affected. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Large unstable cornices will be present over the above aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying to 400m. ICING: Remaining cold. Conditions improving, if not buried. COMMENT: A better day in prospect on Tuesday, but considerable caution advised at the end of the storm cycle. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/2/02 New snow is lying above 300m. Strong South-Westerly winds have deposited deep accumulations of unstable windslab mainly above 850m. These accumulations are greatest on slopes with a North through to South-East aspect and in all gullies sheltered from the prevailing winds. Weak cornices have also formed above many of these locations. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Windward slopes are becoming scoured and icy. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/2/02 Snow will continue to fall until later Monday evening. Strong Westerly winds will add further layers of windslab to existing weakly bonded deposits in many gullies and on slopes with a North through to South-East aspect. Snow showers and fresh variable winds on Tuesday may redistribute windslab on to other aspects. With temperatures remaining cold windslab will be weakly bonded to the old underlying snow-ice. Where deep windslab exists the avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 300m ICING: Ice above 600m becoming more widespread. COMMENT: Climbing conditions will improve mainly on ridges and buttresses with continuing cold conditions. Fresh windslab and cornices will require great care. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/2/02 Localised areas of moderately to weakly bonded snow exist on NE to SE aspects above 950 metres. Snow showers and drifting are forming weakly bonded windslab in sheltered locations on E to S aspects. Deposits are significant and unstable even on easier angled slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Exposed areas are scoured and icy. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/2/02 Snow overnight clearing to showers on Tuesday will continue to build windslab on E to S aspects. Depth will be acquired most quickly in sheltered locations. Stability of these new deposits will be poor and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Newly formed cornices will be unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best above 900 metres. ICING: Generally still thin. Snow-ice well frozen today. COMMENT: Take care with cross loading into sheltered locations of other aspects. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/2/02 Heavy snow showers on a strong West-North-West wind combined with considerable drifting in colder temperatures are building deep unstable deposits of fresh windslab. North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres are affected, with recent debris from a natural loose snow avalanche noted on a North-East aspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) with field tests also producing a very easy shear on a weak layer at 55cm depth. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/2/02 Moderate snowfall overnight and snow showers through the day on a strong North-West wind will continue to load deep weakly bonded windslab deposits on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. As temperatures remain low sub- surface weak layers will continue to be present and triggering will be possible with low additional loads where fresh windslab deposits are encountered on the above mentioned aspects. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels. ICING: Again improving in cold temperatures, lots of soft snow around though. COMMENT: Large fragile cornices forming above many North to East aspects. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------