NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 19/1/03 There were very light winds, some re-distribution of snow and temperatures below freezing above 900 metres. Avalanche debris was noted on a North aspect at 1000 metres. Also noted was minor buildup of wafer thin fragile looking cornice on North aspect. In the snow profile location where the slab, about 30 centimetres thick, was tested it showed no failure characteristics. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3), AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 20/1/03 Strong winds initially from the South-West and backing to South-East will add to the recent build-up on Northerly aspects above 1000 metres. Avalanches are likely on the recently loaded slopes where terrain irregularities have been filled in. This slab will exist on any Northerly aspect; localised loading on East and West aspects will also be a concern above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy but should improve. ICING: Improved on the plateau. COMMENT: Despite lack of snow avalanches are still happening. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 19/1/03 The freezing level briefly rose to around 1100m overnight producing a crust on the snow surface below this altitude. Above 1000m, main snow accumulations are restricted to above and below the main climbing crags in the area. Some fresh snow accumulations are also present in these locations. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 20/1/03 A dry night will be replaced by snow showers and strong SE winds during Monday. This snow will start to form as unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Main accumulations will be at the tops of N and NW aspects. Unstable snow will also begin to form at the tops of NE and E aspects during the afternoon as the wind veers to the SW. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover above 700m. ICING: Freezing level remaining around 700m. COMMENT: Many routes coming back into condition on Aonach Mor. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 19/1/03 A light cover of snow is lying above 850 metres. Some deeper pockets of soft slab have formed in locations sheltered from the recent strong South-Westerly winds. These pockets are mainly to be found in the higher gullies and around the tops of North to East facing slopes. In areas where soft slab has formed on top of old snow stability of this upper layer is moderate however these deposits are not extensive and are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 20/1/03 General snow cover remains thin and is mainly restricted to the higher Northern and Eastern corries. Cooler conditions on Monday with strong South-Easterly winds and new snow will rapidly form areas of windslab in sheltered summit gullies and on slopes with a West to North-East aspect mainly above 850 metres. Stability of this windslab will be poor in areas where deeper accumulations form and in areas where old snow deposits underlie. Fresh cornice formations will also be weak and prone to collapse. The hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 850m. ICING: Starting to re-form at highest levels. COMMENT: Higher buttresses and ridges have a thin cover of recent snow. Windy on tops on Monday SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 19/1/03 There was a dusting of snow overnight with the freezing level holding around 900 metres. Moderately bonded windslab exists in sheltered locations on N to SE aspects above 920 metres. Areas are localised with greatest hazard to be found on steeper scarp slopes and in gully exits. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere snow cover is superficial. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 20/1/03 There will be new snowfall on SE winds with a change to SW later in the day. With this later switch new unstable accumulations will develop on NW through to SE aspects above 900 metres on already moderately bonded snow and avalanches will occur. Cross loading of gully exits and scarp slopes will be a feature of this switch in wind direction. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very poor on the White Mounth, better on higher peaks in Cairngorms. ICING: Runnels of ice left, nothing too useful. COMMENT: With veering winds later in the day watch out for cross loading. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 19/1/03 A dry day with a light South-West wind and freezing levels fluctuating around the summits. Snowpack distribution is generally poor and only a trace amount of snow has fallen overnight above 900 metres. However sheltered hollows and the tops of gullies of a North through East to South-East aspect above 900 metres hold isolated deeper deposits of windslab. General snowpack stability has much improved with recent thaw-freeze cycle and the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 20/1/03 Moderate amounts of snow are forecast on a strong South-East wind. Drifting of fresh snowfall will begin to build moderately bonded windslab on West through North to North-East aspects above 850 metres. Areas most affected will be sheltered hollows, the tops of gullies and steep scarp slopes particularly North and North-East aspects where fresh windslab will build on existing deposits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Sparse cover above 800 metres. All gullies remain incomplete. ICING: Still very poor with no routes complete. COMMENT: Hopefully the snow will keep on coming, as we need it! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------