NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 17/1/03 Strong winds overnight and during the day have continued from the West to South West. These have deposited small pockets of wind-slab on the sparse old snow pack on North to East aspects above 1000 metres. Where this sits on snow-ice surface it gives a moderate shear. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 18/1/03 Strong winds from West carrying snow showers overnight will give way to more continuous snow on South- Westerly winds during the day. This will lead to significant build up of wind- slab on mainly North through to South-East aspects above 1000 metres, where avalanches are likely. Scarp slopes and steep gully exits will be particularly affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy but some easy gullies complete. ICING: Some ice-craft areas available. COMMENT:Colder and less windy than of late. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 17/1/03 After a thaw overnight, colder conditions have pushed into the area during Friday morning. A fresh covering of snow exists above 600m. Significant accumulations are generally restricted to the tops of N and E aspects above 1100m and has formed as unstable snow where it overlies older snow deposits. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 18/1/03 Snow showers and strong SW winds are expected to continue overnight and during Saturday. Localised areas of unstable snow will continue to build. Areas of most concern will be restricted to the tops of N and E aspects, especially where the new snow overlies older snow deposits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying above 600m. ICING: Remaining relatively cold through out the period. COMMENT: Winds easing. Limited winter climbing. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 17/1/03 Hail sleet and snow showers above 850 metres have formed fresh deposits of wet snow in locations sheltered from the very strong South-Westerly winds. Some deeper accumulations exist in the higher gullies and around the tops of North to East facing slopes. These deposits are not extensive and are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 18/1/03 Cooler conditions overnight with snow showers and strong Westerly winds will form isolated areas of windslab in sheltered areas such as gullies and on slopes with a Northerly to Easterly aspect above 850 metres. Drier conditions early on Saturday will turn to sleet then rain later. Fresh windslab and any cornice formations will become moderately bonded particularly during transition to milder wetter conditions. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover of wet snow above 850m in sheltered Northern and Eastern corries. ICING: No ice at present. COMMENT: Winds gusting 110 mph on Aonach Mor today. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 17/1/03 After very heavy rain overnight there is not much snow left. The freezing level has dropped leaving the remaining snow refrozen. Largest snow patches can be found from 900 metres mainly on NW to NE aspects and are generally well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 18/1/03 New accumulations will rapidly build on N and E aspects above 900 metres with the arrival of new snowfall. Bonding of new deposits to existing snow-ice will be poor. Instability will be localised and generally avoidable but gully exits are likely to provide the greatest hazard. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Lochnagar buttresses mainly black with snow starting half way up although one or two easier gullies still have some snow in them. ICING: Runnels of ice on Lochnagar, nothing too useful. COMMENT: Overnight winds easing. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 17/1/03 Overnight heavy rain at all levels left isolated old snow deposits wet and soft. However, snow showers on a severe gale force South-Westerly wind began this morning. Drifting of this fresh snow has left isolated and shallow deposits of soft slab on North to East aspects above 900 metres. Sheltered hollows and the tops of gullies are most affected. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 18/1/03 Snow showers, heavy at times, are forecast to continue throughout the period on a severe gale force South-West wind. Drifting of fresh deposits will continue on to North to East aspects above 850 metres. Sheltered hollows and the tops of gullies of the above mentioned aspects will be most effected. Current fresh slab deposits will deepen and become increasingly unstable. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow down to 650 metres. All easy gully lines are incomplete with a dusting if fresh snow over boulders. ICING: Remaining very poor with no routes complete. COMMENT: At last being thrashed with snow and hail instead of rain! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------