NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 5/3/02
An overnight re-freeze has stabilised the snowpack, creating a 
breakable crust above 800 metres.  Very light snowfall 
accompanied by very strong North-Westerly winds has created 
only localised light accumulations of new windslab with 
variable distribution.  Most deposits are on Easterly aspects 
above 950 metres.  A gradual temperature rise during the day 
has not affected snow stability.  The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2).
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 6/3/02
Overnight snow on very strong Westerly winds will turn to rain 
as temperatures rise.  This will lead to a period of high new 
snow instability, mainly on East and South aspects above 900 
metres, persisting into daylight hours. Some Northerly aspects 
will also be affected and remaining cornices will be suspect.  
From early afternoon, colder conditions will begin to stabilise 
the snowpack, although snow showers will create some areas of 
new windslab above 800 metres.  These will present only 
localised hazard, mainly in gully exits on Easterly aspects.  The 
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 800m.
ICING: Improved ice should survive brief thaw,
COMMENT: Difficult mountain conditions on Weds. 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 5/3/02
Colder temperatures and snow overnight have gradually been 
replaced by rain at all levels during Tuesday. Unstable snow is 
present mainly on N, NE and E facing slopes and gullies above 
900m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Wet 
snow avalanche activity reported on No5 Gully, Ben Nevis this 
afternoon.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 6/3/02
The freezing level will continue to rise overnight before 
gradually lowering to 900m during Wednesday afternoon. Wet 
snow instabilities will be present, mainly on steep N, NE and E 
aspects overnight and early Wednesday. As the freezing level 
lowers during the day, the existing wet snowpack will gradually 
stabilise. Fresh areas of windslab will form as snow showers 
become established. Main accumulations will be at the tops of 
NE and E aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable 
(Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain above 
900m.
ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits before 
lowering later on Wednesday.
COMMENT: Winds remaining very strong throughout the
period. 



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 5/3/02
New snow is lying on the higher ground mainly above 800m. 
Strong winds affecting the area are forming windslab in 
sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations exist in and around 
the tops of sheltered gullies and on higher slopes with a North-
West through to East aspect. Where deep accumulations of windslab
exist the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3); 
elsewhere the old snowpack is consolidating with cooler 
temperatures.  

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 6/3/02
Precipitation overnight initially falling as snow on the higher 
slopes will turn to heavy rain at all levels. This will give a 
period of high instability particularly in sheltered gullies and on 
slopes with a North through to South-East aspect mainly above 900m.
Avalanches are likely during this period. Stability will improve 
as cooler conditions with snow showers return later on 
Wednesday. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable 
(Category 3)

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly above 750m 
ICING: Ice mainly at higher levels only.
COMMENT: Poor climbing conditions for most of Wednesday. Heavy
rain and storm force winds on hill. Cornices will collapse during
thaw period


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 5/3/02
Cooler temperatures overnight have left the snowpack with an 
icy crust on all aspects. Consolidation within the snowpack is 
reasonable but a few moderately bonded layers persist in deeper 
locations. New snow is light and generally insignificant. The 
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 6/3/02
By morning the snowpack will be wet at all levels. High 
amounts of rainfall will saturate snow and there will be a risk of 
wet slab avalanches on steeper slopes. Later in the day the 
freezing level will drop, gradually refreezing the snowpack. 
Snow showers in gale force winds will form localised areas of 
weakly bonded windslab in very sheltered locations on N to E 
aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be 
Considerable (Category 3). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remains reasonable from 700 
metres. 
ICING: Subject to thaw.
COMMENT: Likely to be a poor day.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 5/3/02
Storm force Westerly winds have brought snow above 900 metres.
Isolated areas of weakly bonded windslab have formed on North 
through East to South-East aspects above 900 metres. Gully 
exits, lee slopes below cornices and sheltered steep slopes and 
hollows are particularly affected. Fresh slab deposits shear 
easily on underlying hard snow deposits but can generally be 
avoided. Th