CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 22/3/02 Overnight light snowfall on variable winds has left shallow deposits of soft snow on all aspects above 900 metres. Sheltered deep hollows of a South to West aspect hold deepest isolated deposits. General snowpack stability is good. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). However in mild air and light rain through the day some small loose snow avalanches were observed from steep terrain as shallow wet snow instabilities developed. Caution is also advised in terrain traps (e.g. Steep gullies or The window) as large cornices are present above North and East aspects and remain suspect in warmer conditions. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 23/3/02 Mild conditions are to continue with light rain on a strong southerly wind. As wet snow instabilities continue to develop on most aspects small wet snow avalanches from steep terrain above 900 metres will be likely and cornices will become increasingly suspect and prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Fresh snow deposits are shallow and elsewhere the snowpack will be generally soft but well bonded and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 850 metres. ICING: Melting at lower levels, post face still banked out. COMMENT: Conditions are average with spring weather beginning to take its toll! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 22/3/02 Light snow overnight has been followed by warmer temperatures and a gradual thaw at all levels during Friday. Wet snow surface instabilities are present on many steep slope aspects. Stability is decreasing in these locations; particularly those exposed to solar radiation. Elsewhere the snowpack is generally wet and stable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Loose snow avalanches observed on South Trident buttress, and No2 gully, Ben Nevis. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 23/3/02 Light rain at all levels over the next 24hrs will see surface stability decrease in the wet snowpack. Wet snow surface instabilities will be present on many steep slope aspects, particularly those exposed to solar radiation. Elsewhere the snowpack will be generally wet and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover above 800m. ICING: Poor lower down, still good high on the Ben. COMMENT: Parties on various routes on Hadrians wall today. Rock and ice fall observed on aspects exposed to the sun. Large cornices still threatening No3 gully buttress area. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 22/3/02 Mild temperatures and light rain have maintained the snowpack in a moist condition at all levels. Stability is good in most areas with the exception of steep slopes and gullies where surface wet snow instabilities exist. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Continuing mild conditions are making cornices prone to collapse. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 23/3/02 Very mild conditions on Saturday with light rain will continue to reduce the snowpack. Greatest amounts of snow will remain in the high North and East corries. With summit temperatures around +5 degrees the snowpack will be soft and wet. On steeper slopes and gullies the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) and remaining cornices will be weak and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 800m. ICING: Thawing at all levels on Friday with freezing level rising to 2700 metres on Saturday. COMMENT: Remaining cornices will become progressively weaker during period. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 22/3/02 There has been an active avalanche period triggered by an early morning temperature rise. Widespread debris was noted in Lochnagar. The snowpack is continuing to thaw at all levels with falling ice and cornice collapse presenting a significant hazard. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 23/3/02 After a colder night milder conditions will return and the freezing level will rise to above the summits by midday. The snowpack will continue to thaw at all levels with moderately to weakly bonded surface layers present on steeper ground. Cornice collapse and falling ice is most likely to present the greatest hazard. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy below 900 metres. ICING: Subject to continued thaw conditions. COMMENT: Constant sloughing and ice collapse in Lochnagar today. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 22/3/02 The extended warming above freezing at the summit has contributed to significant moistening of the surface layer. There has been very little snow transport due to wind and a thin, weak melt-freeze crust was observed at 1245 metres. The snowpack surface below 1150 metres on all aspects is moist. Loose snow instability is still a concern. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 23/3/02 Light snow and possibly some rain, in temperatures up to 2 degrees, will further weaken the moist surface snow layer. The instability exists above 900 metres on all aspects and will release from 10-20 centimetres deep. Wet snow avalanches are likely and will be triggered by further warming or rain and by skiers or climbers. Cornice collapse and rockfall will be an additional hazard. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable cover of soggy snow above 850 metres. ICING: Gullies are exposed to loose snow instability, buttresses a less exposed option. COMMENT: The consequences of being hit by the soggy (high density, low volume) avalanches is very serious. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------