NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 16/3/02 A gradual warming to near the freezing mark at the summit allowed for some settlement and stabilization of the snowpack. This process of stabilization is mainly affecting smaller terrain features. Instabilities in the colder snowpack still exist on larger slopes. Winds eased somewhat and continue from the South and East on the plateau. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 17/3/02 Some warmer air will continue to influence the area and the summit temperature will be between zero and plus 2 degrees. Snow is also forecast with winds from the South-East and South. Avalanches are likely on slopes over 950 metres on West and North aspects. On smaller terrain features new slab instability will persist on other aspects also. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Retreating below 800 metres. ICING: Just about holding its own in the temperature regime. COMMENT: More avalanche activity reported by our good neighbours in the Lochnagar area today. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 16/3/02 Light snowfall overnight and during Saturday has produced some localised deposits of fresh soft windslab. Accumulations are generally restricted to NW, N and NE aspects above 900m. Below 900m, the snowpack is gradually thawing. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 17/3/02 Some light showers of snow above 1000m are expected over the next 24 hours. Localised accumulations of soft slab will be present, main accumulations being on NW, N and NE aspects above 900m. Areas of older hard slab will also be present on a variety of aspects. The snowpack will continue to gradually thaw below 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snowpack gradually thawing below 1000m. ICING: Light rain expected below 950m. COMMENT: Many ice routes still in good condition. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 16/3/02 New snow is lying above 850m. Areas of soft fresh windslab exist around the tops of sheltered gullies, hollows and on slopes with a mainly West to Northerly aspect above 900m. The snowpack is becoming wetter as the day progresses. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) where deeper windslab exists. Elsewhere the snowpack is generally well bonded and icy in places. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 17/3/02 Rain or sleet at all levels on Saturday evening may give a period of avalanche activity overnight. Drier but mild conditions are expected by Sunday morning with only the odd shower expected. The snowpack will initially be wet. Stability will improve in most areas with the onset of drier conditions. Wet snow instabilities will remain on the steepest slopes mainly in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North-West to North-East aspect where old windslab remains. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Cornices will be prone to collapse with freezing levels above the summits all day. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Widespread cover of snow above 350m on Saturday. ICING: Above 650m on Saturday COMMENT: Remaining mild for Sunday SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 16/3/02 Milder temperatures have led to a destabilisation of recent deposits. Warming of the snowpack has led to avalanche activity on steeper ground on North to North-East aspects above 1000 metres. The snow has not thawed completely with cool dry snow still present. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Cornices are unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 17/3/02 The mild conditions will continue with temperatures of plus 2 at 900 metres expected. Deeper deposits on steeper slopes will continue to thaw and further avalanches are likely on slopes of West through North to South-East aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best above 800 metres. ICING: Good build up present. Thawing today. COMMENT: Terrain assessment difficult in poor visibility today. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 16/3/02 A mild Southerly airflow has covered the region with the freezing level hovering around the summits. The snowpack has become damp and soft at the surface. Localised areas of soft slab have remained in the most sheltered of hollows on West to North aspects above 850 metres. On other aspects the snowpack is relatively well bonded with fairly consistent layers. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 17/3/02 The slow thaw will continue with the freezing level hovering around the summits. There will be little change to the current snow conditions with localised areas of soft slab on West to North aspects above 850 metres. On other aspects the snowpack will remain damp but relatively well bonded. Cornices will remain suspect and prone to possible collapse in the mild air. The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 600 metres on North to South-East aspects. ICING: Still quite good but melting at lower levels. COMMENT: There are large cornices above Cinderella in the Inner Coire. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------