LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/2/02 Easterly winds over the past 24 hours have redistributed some of the existing unstable soft slab. Distribution of unstable hard and soft windslab is very variable in nature through out the area. Accumulations are present at the tops of S, SW, W and NW aspects. Some SE, E, NE and N aspects have become scoured, but localised areas of unstable snow are still present. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 1/3/02 Cold and dry conditions are expected over the next 24 hours. Distribution of unstable snow will remain variable in nature. Accumulations will remain at the tops of S, SW, W and NW aspects. Some SE, E, NE and N aspects will have localised areas of unstable snow still present. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good snow cover above 500m. ICING: Climbing conditions reported as good, although still some suspect snow on approaches. COMMENT: Supposed to be a nice day at last. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/2/02 The fresh winds have backed and have been easterly for most of the period. During the change in direction winds have deposited isolated shallow layers of slab onto sheltered aspects. Windslab is now present on most aspects but the greatest accumulations are still on NW 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 winds. Where deep accumulations of windslab exist on steep slopes the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 1/3/02 Generally cold dry conditions will continue to affect the area with fresh NE winds. Some scouring will take place with the NE wind depositing windslab onto sheltered SW aspects. However accumulations of windslab will also still be present on slopes with a NW through to E aspect and also in all sheltered gullies above 800m. Caution is required where these new isolated areas of windslab exist as they may lie on icy layers. The greatest hazard will be in sheltered areas but particularly on steep slopes and at the top of gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500m. ICING: above 600m - lowering to all levels tonight. COMMENT: Caution is still required on the approach to most routes. Climbing conditions generally good. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/2/02 Light snow showers and drifting of existing snow on a strong North wind caused windslab to build in the most sheltered of hollows, predominantly on South-East to South-West aspects above 800 metres. Terrain affected winds were also causing drifting onto the Post Face (Easterly aspect). Generally the snowpack has benefited from an overnight thaw/freeze cycle leaving moderately well bonded hard slab on most aspects with unstable windslab lying in isolated pockets. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 1/3/02 Snow will continue to drift overnight on a strong North-East wind. Localised areas of unstable windslab will continue to build in sheltered hollows on South-East to South-West aspects above 800 metres. Moderately well bonded hard slab will persist on other slopes but localised pockets of windslab may still be encountered in the most sheltered of areas that have avoided being scoured. There are large cornices above many North to South-East aspects. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3) in these localised areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 500 metres. Excellent skiing on steep slopes. ICING: Good on steep aspects but still well buried in the gullies. COMMENT: Better weather today (28.2.02). It should continue. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/2/02 There were heavy snow showers in the morning with more breaks in the afternoon. The winds have been from the North-East, changing the loading pattern of the new snow. Air temperatures remain cool with snowpack temperatures contributing to some facet development. In a large block stability test the slab sheared easily, however judging from slope tests by some climbers the stability is fair. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 1/3/02 A similar cycle of weather is forecast for the period. There will be snow showers, North-East winds and temperature will remain cold. Avalanches are likely on selected terrain with the gradually increasing load. The main aspects of concern are South-West and West above 900 metres for new instability, and North to East for the persistent weakness, also due to recent faceting. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover on Coire Domhain and Raibert. ICING: Good cover where required. COMMENT: Eligibility for Darwin awards in avalanche terrain will be awarded for some route finding decisions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/2/02 Gale force winds from the NE have redistributed lying snow. New snowfall contained quantity of graupel. Above 800 metres the snowpack has moderately to weakly bonded areas on N through to SW aspects. E to SE aspects continue to hold deeper deposits with S and SW aspects receiving most of the fresh windslab. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Debris was noted on a SE aspect. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 1/3/02 It will remain cold with the winds again from the NE. Above 800 metres stability will remain suspect on areas of N through to SW aspects. On E through to SE aspects drifting snow will accumulate on deeper deposits with existing weaker layers while the snowpack on S and SW aspects will consist mainly of fresh unstable windslab. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) with avalanches likely. New cornices will be suspect. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good above 800 metres. ICING: Watercouses are starting to freeze up. COMMENT: Careful route choice still required. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------