LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 8/1/03 Isolated and avoidable shallow deposits of windslab remain, mainly at the top of W aspects. A thin dusting of snow exists on many aspects above 650m. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 9/1/03 A cold and dry 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 650m. Main accumulations in high N facing gullies. ICING: Continuing cold, building slowly COMMENT: Some good "thin" climbing conditions around for the keen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 8/1/03 It has remained dry and cold with a light Northerly wind. There is still only a thin cover of snow above 700 metres. Most effected are West to North aspects where very shallow and isolated accumulations of slab can be found in the most sheltered of hollows and at the tops of gullies. Even in these areas depths are insignificant and pose no hazard. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 9/1/03 Scattered snow showers on a strong Northerly wind will continue throughout the forecast period. Isolated and shallow accumulations of fresh moderately bonded windslab will begin to build in sheltered hollows and at the tops of gullies of a South-East to South-West aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) in these shallow and easily avoidable areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover above 700 metres. All easy gullies remain incomplete. ICING: Improving slowly but not there yet. Some playable ice can be found. COMMENT: Yet another day in search of that elusive snowdrift. Super to be on the tops though!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 8/1/03 Snow showers and drifting are producing weakly bonded windslab in steeper sheltered locations. Deeper deposits are to be found on mainly S to W aspects in the Glenshee and Lochnagar area and on generally W to N aspects in the Southern Cairngorms range. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). New cornices are forming on the above mentioned aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 9/1/03 Light snow showers and more significantly strong winds will form weakly bonded windslab on SW to SE aspects. It will remain cold with settlement proceeding slowly. Recent unstable deposits will persist in steeper sheltered locations on S through to N aspects but winds will begin to strip deposits from N aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) with avalanches likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover from valley level. Trail breaking still required off the beaten track. ICING: Eagles Rock has formed useful ice. COMMENT: Climbers were observed enjoying Funeral Falls, Broad Cairn Bluffs today. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 8/1/03 The shift of wind to Easterly on the plateau has altered the snow transport and loading pattern. On local features the winds are highly variable: upslope, downslope and across terrain features. Where tested the surface slab sheared easily on Northerly aspect at 1050 metres. Other slopes tested showed no failure characteristics. There has been some cornice build up. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 9/1/03 Additional snow showers are forecast. Northerly winds will have some scouring effect on slopes of that aspect above 1000 metres. Areas of instability will persist and with the new load avalanches will be likely on slopes where the previously identified stiff slab is weakly bonded to a softer layer on steep unsupported terrain. These areas are mainly on West and North aspect above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Improving on all aspects but little base. ICING:Even a few places for longer ice screws. COMMENT: Careful route finding and avoiding heavy additional slope load will minimise avalanche potential. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------