GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 7/1/03 The snow cover is still very thin and limited. Some deeper areas of snow exist above 900m these are mainly in sheltered areas and on the higher Northerly slopes and in deep gullies however it is not enough snow to warrant an avalanche hazard. Colder conditions have stabilised the older snow patches and also produced verglas on rocks and paths. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 8/1/03 Remaining cold with strong E-SE winds becoming E-NE and no precipitation. The sparse frosty snowpack will remain stable. The greatest accumulations of snow will be in sheltered locations but mainly on slopes with a northerly aspect above 900m. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1) with ice on rocks and paths. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 300m. Deeper areas of snow above 900 metres mainly in sheltered gullies with a Northerly aspect. ICING: Freezing at all levels becoming 200m. COMMENT: Buttresses and ridges offer some reasonable winter climbing conditions. Most gullies are still very thin. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 7/1/03 Strong Southerly winds contributed to significant snow transport on Northerly aspects above 1000m. An avalanche accident at the foot of Jacob's Ladder was due to a firm slab layer releasing on the soft layer below on steep unsupported terrain that had been heavily travelled. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 8/1/03 Snow showers are forecast in the continuing cold temperatures. Winds will be from the North-East to South-East. Areas of instability will become more widespread and avalanches are likely on mainly Northerly and Westerly slopes above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wind transport is improving cover on much of the plateau: skinning up is reasonable on many slopes, thin snow cover obscures rocks on downhill runs. ICING: Improving but many moderate routes are still considered harder than advertised grade. COMMENT: Weak zones linking boulders and thin areas have potential to act as starting zones. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 7/1/03 Strong SE winds and cold summit temperatures have been the main feature of the period. Little change has occurred. Isolated and avoidable shallow deposits of windslab remain, mainly at the top of W aspects. Surface hoar is being redistributed in the strong winds to sheltered NW aspects, forming localised unconsolidated deposits. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 8/1/03 A cold E to NE airflow over the forecast area will have little effect on the existing snowpack in the next 24hrs. Snow cover will remain limited. Any deposits of windslab will be restricted to where they overlie older snow, mainly at the top of W aspects. These deposits will be isolated and easily avoided. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remaining limited, a dusting from 450m. Main accumulations in high N facing gullies. ICING: Continuing cold, building slowly COMMENT: Conditions not as pleasant on the summits today as the last few days, cold and windy. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 7/1/03 The snow cover is still very thin and limited. Some deeper areas of snow exist above 900m: these are mainly in sheltered areas and on the higher Northerly slopes and in deep gullies. However there is not enough snow to create an avalanche hazard. Colder conditions have stabilised the older snow patches and also produced verglas on rocks and paths. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 8/1/03 It will remain cold with strong E to SE winds becoming E to NE and no precipitation. The sparse frosty snowpack will remain stable. The greatest accumulations of snow will be in sheltered locations but mainly on slopes with a northerly aspect above 900m. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1) with ice on rocks and paths. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 300m. Deeper areas of snow above 900 metres mainly in sheltered gullies with a Northerly aspect. ICING: Freezing at all levels becoming 200m. COMMENT: Buttresses and ridges offer some reasonable winter climbing conditions. Most gullies are still very thin. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 7/1/03 Consolidation continues to proceed slowly in the cold temperatures with well developed surface hoar present. Windslab stability remains suspect on steeper slopes with deepest deposits to be found on S through to NW aspects. Weakly bonded redistributed deposits are beginning to accumulate on W to N aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 8/1/03 Scattered snow showers combined with drifting on strong winds will see unstable deposits accumulate on SW to NW aspects. Avalanches are likely due to weakly bonded windslab persisting in steeper sheltered locations on S through to N aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover from valley level. Trail breaking still required off the beaten track. ICING: Generally lean. Ice and turf becoming brittle. COMMENT: Taillear burn has had recent avalanche activity in very similar weather conditions to tomorrow. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 7/1/03 It has remained cold and dry with a fresh Southerly wind. Snow cover remains thin above 700 metres with pockets of soft snow lying in any flat hollows. Small drifts are beginning to appear on the edge of steep slopes on North-West to North-East aspects but are as yet to small to cause any problems. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 8/1/03 Snow showers driven on a strong, variable Easterly wind will build shallow accumulations of windslab in the tops of gullies on South-West through North-West to North aspects above 800 metres. As North and North-West aspects have a little build up already they will be most affected. More open slopes and ridges will be safer as snow cover will still be fairly thin. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin above 700 metres. May improve slightly. ICING: Getting better all the time but still not quite there on the established routes. Fun icefalls can be found. COMMENT: Another fine but cold day. Who said there's global warming? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------