NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 3/1/03 There is up to 50 centimetres of foot penetration in some lee locations above 1000 metres. The Northerly winds have been strongest across the plateau elevation, with light to moderate winds from 800-1000m. This has had a significant effect on slab development, scouring and re-distribution of snow. Easterly and Southerly aspects have the most new snow accumulation. Easy shears resulted from field tests. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 4/1/03 More snow is forecast to low levels with a slight wind shift to the North-West. Due to the very slow rate of settlement of the new snow and slab build up on East and South aspects avalanches will occur above 1000 metres. Areas of particular concern are those where the slab lies on a thin soft layer immediately above the old snow-ice crust. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still many hollows in the boulder fields but filling in. ICING: All but the steepest ice is under storm snow. COMMENT: Interesting snow distribution on the plateau. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 3/1/03 Continuing cold conditions have had little effect on the existing snowpack. Isolated shallow deposits of windslab are present 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 snow and rime exists. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 4/1/03 Snow showers and strong NW winds overnight and during Saturday will see shallow areas of windslab form. Accumulations will be localised and restricted to where they overlie older snow areas, mainly at tops of gullies and steep slopes with SE and S aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light dusting of snow above 450m. ICING: Freezing at all levels. COMMENT: Still lean, although Stirling Bridge area seeing ascents of various routes. Remaining cold. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 3/1/03 A light covering of new snow above 300m does not warrant any change in the avalanche hazard. The snow cover is still 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 refrozen these snow patches and also produced verglas on rocks and paths. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 4/1/03 Snow showers will occur during Friday night and for Saturday at most levels accompanied by strong North to North-Westerly winds. The greatest accumulations of new snow will be in sheltered locations but mainly on slopes with a Southerly aspect. The new snow is expected to be more significant than on the previous few days. This will add to the sparse snowpack and the avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1) with ice on rocks and paths. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snows 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 FRI 3/1/03 Further snow showers have added to the dry light deposits that exist as a thin general cover. Areas of deeper deposits are becoming more widespread and have accumulated greater depth. Foot penetration of over 40cm was achieved frequently. Weakly bonded soft slab is to be found on SW through to N aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 4/1/03 It will remain cold with light snow showers forecast. There will be a wind shift to the NW and redistribution of deposits from NW and N facing slopes to S and SE aspects is expected. Weakly bonded windslab will therefore be found on SE through to N aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover from valley level. Deeper drifts becoming more widespread. ICING: Generally lean. Remaining cold. COMMENT: Time consuming trail breaking required. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 3/1/03 It has remained very cold, with little fresh snowfall and despite widespread drifting on a Northerly wind, drifted snow has tended to collect in grassy hollows at lower altitudes. Accumulations over old snow above 900 metres are isolated, confined mainly to West to North aspects and so shallow as not to constitute a hazard. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 4/1/03 Snow showers on a strong North becoming North-West wind will continue to build isolated and very shallow windslab deposits in hollows, which contain old snow on East to South aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) in these very isolated and easily avoidable areas, with all other aspects remaining thinly covered and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow down to 600 metres. However one slight thaw and we'd be back to grass! ICING: Very little. Certainly not enough to bother carrying your gear in for! COMMENT: Staying cold but we need a lot more snow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------