NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 4/3/02 There was overnight cooling at the summit to just below freezing so showers fell as rain below 950 metres. The warm temperatures and strong Westerly winds have contributed to erosion of snowpack below 1000 metres. Above 1000 metres stability is good due to overnight cooling, the moist surface snow at lower elevation has fair stability. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 5/3/02 The forecast period will go through a cooling cycle at first followed later tonight by warming above freezing at the summit. There will be snow showers and strong West and South-West winds. New slab will form on North-East and East aspect above 1000 metres. Avalanches are likely due to the new slab and continued moist snow instability at lower elevation on very steep ground. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover areas below 850 metres going quickly. ICING: Dripping below 1050 metres. COMMENT: It will be nice to get back to some cooler weather.. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 4/3/02 After a period of high instability overnight the snowpack is generally consolidating at all levels. Wet snow instabilities are still present on steep N through E to SE aspects, where test shears can be obtained with a moderate to high additional load. Elsewhere the snow stability is generally good. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Any remaining cornices are wet and unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 5/3/02 Colder conditions will move into the forecast area with snow showers and strong to gale force SW winds. Any remaining wet snow instabilities will stabilise. Fresh accumulations of unstable snow will form on sheltered N through E to SE aspects above 800m. The tops of gullies and scarp slopes will be particularly affected, with avalanches likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Fresh cornices will build. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best in high N and E facing corries. ICING: Freezing around summit level today, improving tomorrow. COMMENT: Turning colder for a while with strong to gale force SW winds. Windblown slopes will be hard frozen and icy. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 4/3/02 Persistent rain overnight and today at all levels has saturated and reduced the snow cover. Wet snow instabilities exist within the snowpack on the steepest North to East facing slopes and in sheltered gullies. Weak sagging cornices are also threatening many of these locations. In these areas the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3); elsewhere the snowpack is soft wet and is becoming generally stable. Cornice triggered debris noted below NE slopes AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 5/3/02 A return to colder conditions will start to firm up the old wet snowpack overnight. New snow and strong to gale force Westerly winds will form unstable windslab in all sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North to South-East aspect mainly above 800m. Avalanches are likely in areas where deep accumulations of windslab form particularly as temperatures rise during the course of the day. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow mainly above 750m. ICING: Thawing ice only at highest levels. COMMENT: Colder conditions for a time overnight may improve climbing conditions on the higher routes. Fresh windslab and cornices will require caution particularly as milder conditions return. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 4/3/02 Rain, strong winds and mild temperatures are thawing the snowpack. Surface layers are moist with drier moderately to weakly bonded snow existing within deeper deposits. These are generally to be found on NE through to S aspects above 900 metres. Cornices are unstable with debris noted on N and E aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 5/3/02 Consolidation will occur as the freezing level lowers to 600 metres overnight before rising again during Tuesday. Snow showers on gale force winds will form weakly bonded windslab in very sheltered locations on N to E aspects above 800 metres. Deposits will be localised but stability will be poor in steeper locations due to the firm snow-ice base and the significant drifting that will occur. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Significant reduction on W aspects, exposed areas and beneath 900 metres today. ICING: Thawing today; freezing level 600 metres tonight. COMMENT: Difficult conditions at times on Tuesday. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 4/3/02 A gale force mild Westerly airstream with rain at all levels has continued. Snowpack consolidation has continued to improve with moderately bonded wet slab, predominantly on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Large cornices still remain above North and Easterly aspects and are suspect in the milder air. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 5/3/02 At first colder temperatures will continue bonding of the remaining snowpack. Then moderate snow showers are forecast on gale force Westerly winds. Fresh windslab will be deposited on North through East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Gully exits, sheltered steep aspects and hollows will at first be most affected. Fragile cornice fringes will begin to build. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 800 metres. ICING: Melting at all levels. COMMENT: A return to winter on Tuesday hopefully. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------