LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/2/02 Further strong SSW winds and snow showers are continuing to load sheltered aspects with unstable snow. Large areas of poorly bonded snow are present, mainly on NW, N, NE and E facing slopes and gullies above 800m. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/2/02 Snow stability will remain poor over the next 24 hours. Light winds and snow showers are expected overnight, followed by a dry, cold day on Thursday. Large areas of poorly bonded snow will be present, mainly on NW, N, NE and E facing slopes and gullies above 800m, where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep unconsolidated snow present in sheltered locations making walking arduous. ICING: Remaining cold through out the period. COMMENT: Winds easing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/2/02 New snow overnight and today has added more layers of unstable windslab to the snowpack. The greatest accumulations are on NNW through to SE facing slopes and in all sheltered gullies above 800m. The snowpack is weakly bonded on most steep slopes that have been sheltered from the SW winds. The layered slab shears easily and avalanche debris has been noted today. Where deep accumulations of windslab exists on steep slopes the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/2/02 New snow overnight with drier colder conditions on Thursday with fresh E-NE winds. Accumulations of windslab will still be present on slopes with a NNW through to E aspect and also in all sheltered gullies above 800m. As the wind direction becomes NE areas of windslab will start to form in many sheltered aspects above 800m. Caution is required on these new isolated areas of windslab, which may lie on icy layers. 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 500m. ICING: above 600m - lowering to all levels tonight. COMMENT: Avalanche debris noted in the glen today. Caution is required on the approach to most routes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/2/02 The snowpack is very variable on many aspects and travel from relatively stable to unstable snow without being aware is easy. A mix of hard and soft slab exists on N through to SE aspects above 800 metres. Surface slab is often poorly bonded with deposits above 900 metres continuing to hold deeper weak layers. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Debris was noted on a NE slope. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/2/02 Cooler conditions will continue with snow showers overnight. Winds will turn to the NE but will not be strong enough to produce extensive drifting. Moderately to weakly bonded snow will be found on steeper slopes on N through to SE aspects above 800 metres. E aspects above 900 metres will continue to hold deeper unstable windslab. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good above 800 metres. ICING: Cold enough to continue growth. COMMENT: Careful route choice still required. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/2/02 Snow showers and drifting of existing snow on a strong South- West wind has continued to load windslab onto sheltered lee slopes of a North through East to South-East aspect above 800 metres. Scarp slopes beneath cornices on these aspects have over a metre of highly unstable slab, which shears very easily. Fresh avalanche debris was noted on a Northerly aspect. Large, fresh cornices remain very fragile. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/2/02 Snow showers will continue overnight on an East becoming North-East wind. It will remain cold with moderate winds so initially there will be little change to the current snow conditions with deep, unstable windslab persisting on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Winds will increase during the day, gradually transporting snow and building slab on South to West aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4). Avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow down to 250 metres. Main cover above 700 metres. Good touring after a short walk. ICING: Good on steep aspects but still buried in most places. COMMENT: The snow needs to settle before climbing conditions improve. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/2/02 There were snow showers and very strong Westerly winds that both eased during the day. Although additional load has formed on the areas with slab there has been a general improvement in stability through aging and some settlement. Clean shears requiring slightly more additional load are still evident in the hard over soft layers. Some small slabs triggered on East aspect at 1050 metres. This instability is mainly on East and North aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/2/02 There will be snow showers, cool temperatures and winds, light to moderate, from the North-East. New slab will form on South-West aspects however it should only exist in small pockets. The older slab instability will still exist particularly on steep, convex terrain of East and North aspect above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Coire Raibert has good cover. ICING: "Good mate" I was told. COMMENT: Sad if it's true, looking at the apparent vandalism of the Cairngorm summit weather and rescue station. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------