LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 1/3/02 The settled weather is gradually consolidating the existing snowpack. Areas of moderately well bonded hard windslab are present on many slope aspects above 800m. With high additional loads on steep slope inclinations, this windslab still exhibits poor stability. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 2/3/02 Snow showers and moderate Westerly winds are expected overnight and during Saturday. Some fresh accumulations will form on sheltered Easterly aspects, but accumulations are not expected to be significant. Areas of moderately well bonded hard windslab will remain on many slope aspects above 800m. In these locations, triggering will still be possible with high additional loads on steeper slope inclinations. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 500m. ICING: Remaining generally cold. COMMENT: Many of the classic ice routes receiving ascents on the Ben today (Friday). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 1/3/02 During the period the fresh NE winds have scoured and re- distributed snow to form isolated areas of windslab on SW aspects. Windslab is now present on many aspects but the accumulations that exist on NW through to SE facing slopes have become hard slab and this is moderately bonded. In sheltered areas the snowpack is weakly bonded on steep slopes and in all sheltered gullies above 800m. Where deep accumulations of windslab exist on steep slopes the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 2/3/02 Light snow showers overnight and during Saturday with strong W winds. New deposits of windslab will start to form on many aspects as the wind veers through a 100 degrees adding to unstable accumulations. The new snow is not expected to be extensive. However accumulations of previously formed windslab will still be present on many slopes and also in sheltered gullies above 800m. Because the wind direction has been so variable over the passed few days windslab could be present on most slopes. 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 - but becoming 750m. COMMENT: Climbing conditions generally good. Vigilance is required as areas of windslab exist and they may lie on icy layers. Rain at lower levels. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 1/3/02 Periods of heavy snow have produced areas with 30 centimetres and more of foot penetration. There is a general strengthening of the deeper layers. New snow instability is concentrated in areas of deepest accumulation. Due to relatively light winds the distribution is quite even by aspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 2/3/02 The freezing level will rise to 900 metres but snow showers, some heavy, will fall in avalanche terrain above 900 metres. Winds will become Westerly so the loading pattern will now be inclusive of nearly all quadrants, particularly in smaller terrain features. Avalanches are likely due to new snow instability where areas of slab will develop. Easy shears will persist in select areas. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep unconsolidated snow on lower angle sections of climbs. ICING: Quality ice in many places, not too thick in some. COMMENT: It's worrying watching some access and egress route finding choices. Particular care required on exit slopes of climbs with variable aspect. Have a safe weekend. Avalanche debris noted in Drumochter Pass, West aspect. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 1/3/02 A strong North North West wind has caused windslab to form on East through South to South-West aspects above 800 metres. On East aspects, windslab is more patchy and isolated with South-East to South-West facing slopes holding the deeper deposits. On open slopes windslab is shallow with the strong sunshine helping to settle it down. However in hollows where deposits are deeper, the slab shears quite easily. Good route finding can avoid these areas. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 2/3/02 A strong West wind will redistribute windslab onto North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Overnight it will remain very cold so there will be little initial bonding of fresh windslab with the underlying snow. Depending on the altitude of the terrain, the top 100 metres of steep, sheltered gullies and hollows will be most affected with deposits staying shallow on open slopes. Large, unstable cornices will continue to grow above North through East to South-East aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 500 metres. Excellent ski touring conditions after a short walk. ICING: Good on steep aspects but still buried in the gullies. COMMENT: There are some particularly nasty looking large cornices above many North to South-East aspects. Take care! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 1/3/02 Snow showers and redistribution of recent deposits have built weakly bonded windslab on S and SW aspects. Stability is poor with failure occurring at isolation during hand shear tests. Moderately to weakly bonded areas are still to be found on N through to SE aspects above 800 metres. The snowpack is changeable with travel from stable to weakly bonded areas occurring quickly especially in poor visibility. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 2/3/02 Moderately to weakly bonded windslab will be found on N through to SW aspects. Stability will be especially poor in steeper sheltered locations. Light snow showers and W winds will start to form fresh deposits on E aspects where significant accumulations already exist. Cold temperatures have delayed the consolidation process and care should be taken with any area of windslab. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good above 800 metres. ICING: Freezing level at 900 metres on Saturday. COMMENT: Ski touring is possible from high roads. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------