GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 26/2/02 New snow today has added more layers of windslab to the existing deep accumulations leading to further instabilities within the snowpack. The greatest accumulations are on NW through to SE facing slopes and in all sheltered gullies above 800m. The snowpack is weakly bonded on most steep slopes and several avalanche debris have been noted today. Where deep accumulations of windslab exist on steep slopes bonding to the underlying older snow ice remains suspect. Avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 27/2/02 New snow overnight and on Wednesday morning with strong variable SW winds will continue to affect the area. Accumulations of windslab will form on slopes with a NNW through to E aspect and also in all sheltered gullies above 800m. Avalanches are likely to occur where deep windslab has formed. The greatest hazard will be in sheltered areas but particularly on steep slopes with a NNW through to E aspect and also in all sheltered gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 400m. ICING: Thawing ice on rocks above 600m. COMMENT: Poor climbing conditions today with several avalanches noted in the area. Caution is required on the approach to most routes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 26/2/02 SW winds with snow during the forecast period have formed areas of soft slab in sheltered locations. Under test this slab is weakly bonded, and exhibits very easy shears. Accumulations are present on NW through NE to SE aspects above 800m. Sheltered gullies and scarp slopes are particularly effected. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Avalanche activity noted in the above locations, Ben Nevis and Aonach Mor. Unstable cornices present. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 27/2/02 Frequent snow showers during the next 24hrs combined with a strong S/SW airflow will continue to add to unstable deposits. Weakly bonded soft slab will be present on many sheltered aspects. Greatest accumulations will be on NW through NE to SE slopes and gullies, where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Unstable cornices will be present above the mentioned aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying at 600m. ICING: Freezing level lowering to 400m by Wednesday. COMMENT: Caution advised with route choice, particularly with regard to approach and exits. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 26/2/02 The freezing level rose to around 900 metres last night and has settled at about 800 metres during today. Moderately to weakly bonded snow is to be found on N through to SE aspects above 800 metres. These deeper deposits are extensive and demonstrate poor stability during shear tests. Fresh snowfall is accumulating on E to S aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 27/2/02 After a cold dry night there will be snow showers tomorrow on strong SW winds. Existing moderately to weakly bonded snow will persist on N through to SE aspects above 800 metres. New deposits will build on N to E aspects during the day. Avalanches are likely on steeper terrain especially in sheltered locations where drifting will build deposits more rapidly. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good above 800 metres. ICING: Building in quantity; quality highly variable. COMMENT: Careful route choice still required. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 26/2/02 Although the prevailing wind for the day was Westerly the corrie winds were highly variable. New snow loaded on a variety of aspects, mainly on North and East. Summit temperatures did not rise above minus 2 degrees. In field tests the new slab sheared cleanly down 40 and 70 centimetres on an Easterly aspect at 1050 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 27/2/02 Snow showers and South-West winds will continue to load North and East aspects above 900 metres. The distribution will remain variable on other aspects. Avalanches will be likely due to persistent weakness and additional load on the very soft buried layer. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Icy patches and skiable sections on plateau, bring your rock skis. ICING: Fair to reasonable. COMMENT: Book a ticket for the popular routes in the northern Corries. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 26/2/02 It has been snowing fairly constantly throughout the day above 400 metres. This, coupled with a moderate but gusty South- West wind has caused further drifting onto lee slopes of a North through East to South-East aspect above 800 metres. The freezing level has been around the summits, so deep, unstable windslab has formed above 900 metres. At lower levels soft, wet slab lies on top of an icy layer which shears easily in the deeper deposits on steeper ground. High (Category 4) avalanche hazard. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 27/2/02 It will become colder with frequent snow showers driven on a strong becoming gale force South West wind. Drifting will continue to load unstable windslab onto sheltered lee slopes of a North through East to South-East aspect above 800 metres. Snow at lower levels and on windward slopes will begin to consolidate in the colder air. Large fresh cornices will continue to grow above North to South-East aspects. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4). Avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 700 metres. ICING: Good on steep aspects. Although buried in most places. COMMENT: Knee deep drifts if off the beaten track. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------