NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 6/3/02 Some overnight snow above 800 metres was followed by rain at most levels. This has led to some depletion of the snowpack below 700 metres as well as the retention of wet snow instabilities on slopes of most aspects above 950 metres. Cornices remain above some North and East aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 7/3/02 Slightly colder conditions will help to stabilise the existing snowpack. However, frequent snow showers on strong West, then West-North-West winds, will cause fresh windslab build- up mainly on North-East to South-East aspects above 950 metres. Some North-facing gully heads and scarp slopes will also have new slab and avalanches are likely in affected areas. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still good cover above 800m. ICING: Has survived the brief thaw well. COMMENT: Variable breakable crust making walking rather tedious. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 6/3/02 Thaw conditions and rain overnight have left surface wet snow instabilities on many steep aspects. Greatest accumulations are present on steep N through E to SE aspects, particularly gully tops and scarp slopes. With cooler conditions moving into the forecast area during Wednesday these instabilities are slowly consolidating. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Remaining cornices prone to collapse. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 7/3/02 Strong W to WNW winds with snow showers overnight and during Thursday will see fresh areas of unstable snow form. Accumulations will be present on sheltered steep slopes and gullies with N through E to SE aspects above 800m. Although showery, accumulations are likely to be significant in the strong windspeeds, with avalanches likely in the above locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will reform. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best above 800m. ICING: Just freezing around the summits today (6/3/02) COMMENT: Colder conditions should see routes improve, remaining windy for Thursday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 6/3/02 Very wet and mild conditions overnight triggered avalanches high up on North-East facing slopes. A return to cooler drier conditions is now consolidating and stabilising most of the old snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) on the steepest slopes. Large cornices remain suspect and are prone to collapse. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 7/3/02 Snow showers overnight and Thursday morning with strong to gale force Westerly winds will form areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations mainly above 900m. Deepest accumulations will form around the tops of sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North-East to South-East aspect. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) where deeper windslab forms. With cooler temperatures for the period the generally stability of the older snowpack will become good. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 800m ICING: Cover will start to improve on higher slopes with freezing levels around 900m for period. COMMENT: Climbing conditions will improve on higher routes where old snow has survived the thaw: fresh windslab will require caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 6/3/02 A mild and windy day has left snow thawing at all levels. The snowpack is patchy up to 900 metres but above this cover remains good. A few steeper slopes have areas of moderate stability, elsewhere is relatively stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 7/3/02 It will remain windy but will become cooler. Overnight snow showers and subsequent drifting in strong winds will form localised areas of weakly bonded windslab in very sheltered locations on N to E aspects. Where deposits form over existing snow-ice and are of a reasonable depth the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). These deposits will generally be avoidable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy under 900 metres. Still good cover in higher corries. Ground breaking through in exposed areas. ICING: Buttresses still holding on to some. COMMENT: Snow will begin refreezing overnight. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 6/3/02 Heavy rain showers at all levels on a severe gale force Westerly wind have left moderately bonded soft wet slab on North through East to South-East aspects above 900 metres. These deposits are isolated and are mainly on lee slopes below cornices and the tops of sheltered gullies and hollows. Wet snow instabilities have occurred overnight and debris from a shallow natural slab avalanche was observed at the top of an Easterly aspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cornices also remain prone to collapse in milder air. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 7/3/02 Snow showers on a severe gale force Westerly wind will form fresh deposits of windslab on North through East to South- East aspects above 850 metres. Lee slopes below cornices, gully exits and hollows will be particularly affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Fresh cornice fringes will begin to build. Elsewhere the snowpack will be generally well bonded in colder temperatures. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 850 metres. ICING: Rock and ice fall from cliffs a hazard in thawing conditions. COMMENT: Cornices observed collapsing in rain on East and North aspects. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------