NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 20/1/03 From the very early hours this morning the winds on the plateau have become increasingly strong from the South-East. With new snow falling above 850 metres there has been rapid build-up of soft and hard slab mainly on Northerly aspects. Although the distribution across and down slope is not extensive there is potential to start avalanches on steep convex terrain. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 21/1/03 Moderate snow amounts are forecast with winds easing slightly from the South-East and becoming variable direction later. The new slab on steep convex terrain where avalanche threshold previously existed will have poor stability. Avalanches will occur on North-West to North-East aspects above 1000 metres. Localised loading on terrain irregularities will be a concern. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Many bare areas above 1000 metres. ICING: Lean to thin to nil in many places; a few fat bulges and flat ice survive. COMMENT: Rapidly changing cicumstances on the avalanche front. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 20/1/03 Strong SE winds and new snow are building fresh areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Main accumulations are on W, NW, N and NE facing slopes and gullies above 1000m, notably on scarp slopes where it overlies older snow deposits. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 21/1/03 Snow will continue overnight before drying up on Tuesday with a slight rise in freezing levels. Areas of unstable snow will be present, notably at the tops on W, NW, N and NE aspects. Other areas sheltered from today's SE winds will also be affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 600m. ICING: Freezing level rising to around 1100m during Tuesday. COMMENT: Has winter finally arrived? GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 20/1/03 New snow is lying above 650 metres. The strong South-Easterly winds today have formed areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are to be found in the higher gullies and on slopes with a West to North-East aspect mainly above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) and fresh cornices are prone to collapse. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 21/1/03 Fresh South-Easterly winds and snow showers overnight will continue to develop areas of weakly bonded windslab in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a West to North-East aspect mainly above 850 metres. Milder conditions during the course of Tuesday with light rain and sleet will further load weakly bonded windslab. The hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely. Cornices will also be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 650m. ICING: Starting to re-form at highest levels. COMMENT: Higher buttresses and ridges have a cover of fresh snow. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 20/1/03 Snow started falling from mid-morning on SE winds. Deposits are beginning to accumulate in sheltered locations on W to N aspects but have yet to achieve any significant depth. Moderately bonded windslab exists in sheltered locations on N to SE aspects above 920 metres although loose deposits are being redistributed from windward slopes. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). General snow cover is superficial. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 21/1/03 Unstable windslab will be found in steeper sheltered locations on mainly W to N aspects. Deposits will be moderately to weakly bonded both within themselves and to any snow ice base. Care should also be taken with terrain features that contain multiple aspects as windslab will have formed in sheltered gully exits. The freezing level is due to rise to 1200 metres with light rain forecast. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally superficial. ICING:Remaining limited. Plenty underfoot today! COMMENT: Beware icy paths under a dusting of snow! CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 20/1/03 Light, intermittent snow showers fell on a moderate South-East wind. Fresh snow amounts remain insignificant at the time of writing and snow transport minimal. However, sheltered hollows, steep scarp slopes and gullies of a North to East aspect above 850 metres still hold deeper isolated deposits of moderately bonded windslab. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) in these localised areas. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 21/1/03 Snowfall is to continue overnight on a strong South-East wind and drifting will continue on to West to North aspects above 850 metres. As Westerly aspects at present hold insignificant snow quantities fresh windslab will remain shallow and overlie grass or heather. However, where windslab builds on existing snow deposits in sheltered hollows, steep scarp slopes and gullies of a North-West to North aspect above 850 metres, bonding of fresh deposits will be moderate. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) in the above mentioned isolated areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A light dusting of fresh snow down to 650 metres. Still generally very poor. ICING: Remaining poor with no routes complete. COMMENT: Still in need of a lot more snow!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------