NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 2/1/03 Full winter conditions have returned including observed avalanche activity on a North-West aspect at 1090 metres in Coire an Lochan. Moderate snow amounts have accumulated into areas on North and West aspects above 950 metres with up to 40 centimetres of foot penetration. Where the new slab sits on a recent snow surface it shears easily, where it lies on the old snow-ice surface the shear characteristics are not so pronounced. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 3/1/03 The temperatures will remain cold with more snow and North- East winds. Avalanches will occur in areas with new cornice development and additional load on the previously identified soft slab. This will be mainly on North and West aspect above 1000 metres. The increased overall snow cover will obscure the identification of these zones of deeper cover. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: "Lots on the ground and in the air". ICING: In a growth phase. COMMENT: Avalanches will run into areas with minimal cover. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 2/1/03 Shallow deposits of windslab have formed on top of old snow patches, mainly at the tops of W aspects. These accumulations are generally localised and easily avoided. On other aspects, a thin dusting of fresh snow exists. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 3/1/03 Snow showers and moderate NE winds are expected overnight and during Friday. Localised areas of windslab will continue to form, mainly at the tops of Westerly aspects. Any avalanche hazard will be confined to where this windslab overlies old snow patches. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Many N and E aspects will have a thin dusting of fresh snow, although accumulations will not be significant. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light dusting of fresh snow above 450m. ICING: Water-ice continuing to form on many paths and open hillsides. COMMENT: Remaining cold. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 2/1/03 A light covering of new snow exists above 500m this: is not enough new snow to create any avalanche hazard. The snow cover is very thin and limited. Some deeper areas exist above 900m: these are mainly in sheltered areas and on the higher Northerly slopes and in deep gullies. Colder conditions have re-frozen these snow patches and also produced verglas on rocks and paths. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 3/1/03 Intermittent snow showers will occur during Thursday night and for Friday at most levels. These snow showers will be light and accompanied by cold North-Easterly winds. The greatest accumulations of new snow will be in sheltered locations mainly with a SW through to NW aspect above 600m. The new snow is not expected to be significant during the report period. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). Rocks and paths will be icy. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 300m. Deeper areas of snow above 900 metres mainly in sheltered gullies with a Northerly aspect. ICING: Freezing at all levels. COMMENT: Buttresses and ridges offer some reasonable winter climbing conditions. Gullies are slowly filling. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 2/1/03 Moderate snowfall combined with gale force winds from the NE led to windslab development in many sheltered locations above 900 metres. Deposits were deepest on W to N aspects and were very unstable. Apart from these localised areas cover remains thin. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 3/1/03 There will be further snow showers overnight and tomorrow but the winds will ease. Cover will generally remain thin with localised deeper deposits to be found on W through to N aspects above 900 metres. Stability of deeper accumulations will remain poor. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover remains generally superficial. ICING: Generally lean but reforming. COMMENT: Winds easing. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 2/1/03 Snow has fallen at all altitudes overnight. Today, however it has remained dry and wind directions have varied causing snow transportation to be widespread; although depths remain shallow. The tops of sheltered gullies and hollows of a West to North aspect above 850 metres are worst affected. Even in these very isolated areas depths of fresh snow are no more than 5- 10cm and pose no hazard. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 3/1/03 Snow showers will continue throughout the forecast period on a strong North-East wind. Cold temperatures and drifting will begin transport of fresh deposits on to lee slopes of a West to South aspect above 850 metres. The tops of sheltered gullies and hollows will be most affected but deposits will remain shallow and isolated. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels, but amounts remain very thin. All gullies remain broken. ICING: Improving slowly, but still not enough to warrant climbing or carrying all your gear to the Loch! COMMENT: A slow return to winter, still in need of a lot of snow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------