NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25/1/03 During the night showers turned from rain to snow with a sharp drop in temperatures. The wind has increased in strength from a Westerly direction. This has increased the stability of the wet snowpack. New slab has formed on Easterly aspects above 1000 metres but the deposits of this slab are shallow and tests showed it to be reasonably well bonded to the old snow. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 26/1/03 Light snow overnight on Westerly winds will be followed by a sudden rise in temperature and heavy rain at all levels. This will contribute to a period of poor stability on any aspect above 1000 metres where deposits of recent snow can be found. Remaining cornices will be prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patches above 600m, with light new snow above 900m. Moist snow in most easy gullies. ICING: Slight improvement due to cooler conditions. COMMENT: Snow and ice in for a shock with mild conditions on Sunday. Rockfall hazard on crags. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25/1/03 After yesterdays big thaw, colder temperatures during today have brought snow showers above 800m. Significant new snow accumulations are generally restricted to the tops of E aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 26/1/03 A return to thaw conditions with heavy rain at all levels is expected by Sunday morning. All the existing fresh snow will quickly disappear and the older snow patches will continue to gradually thaw at all levels. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Dusting of fresh snow above 800m on Saturday, but this will quickly thaw during Sunday. ICING: Freezing level rising to 2300m. COMMENT: Looking colder again for next week. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25/1/03 Recent thaw conditions with very heavy rain at all levels reduced the snow cover to patches in the higher gullies and corries. A light dusting of fresh wet snow is lying above 850 metres today. The remaining snowpack is generally stable. Avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 26/1/03 Colder conditions overnight will bring light snow showers above 600 metres and re-freeze existing deposits. Strong Westerly winds will form isolated areas of windslab mainly around the tops of sheltered summit gullies and slopes with a North to East aspect. New accumulations of windslab are not expected to be deep or extensive but bonding to underlying re-frozen snow may be suspect particularly as temperatures rise early on Sunday with heavy rain affecting the area once more. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover in high gullies and corries ICING: None at present COMMENT: Mild and wet for Sunday. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25/1/03 Snow showers with strong Westerly winds have lead to some new deposits in very sheltered locations on NE and E aspects above 900 metres. Although accumulations were not deep at the time of observation they were moderately bonded to the older snow-ice on steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 26/1/03 Milder conditions will return in the morning with freezing levels above the tops and high amounts of rain. Recent softer deposits which are mainly to be found in sheltered locations on NE to E aspects above 900 metres will become increasingly unstable particularly with the additional loading of rain. Scarp slopes and gully exits will provide greatest hazard and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Lochnagar buttresses black, easier angled gullies holding on to snow. ICING: Not a lot left. COMMENT: Another wet and windy day due. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25/1/03 Snow showers driven on a storm force Westerly wind have caused isolated areas of shallow but unstable windslab to form. Only the very tops of deeper gullies on North to East aspects above 900 metres where the fresh windslab has formed over old snow deposits are affected. Fresh debris from a small avalanche was noted in an East facing gully in Coire a Chriochairein. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 26/1/03 Snow will continue to drift for a time on a strong Westerly wind adding to existing windslab deposits in North to East facing gullies above 900 metres. Then the freezing level will rise to well above the summits with snow turning to heavy rain. Moderately bonded wet slab will be present on the above- mentioned aspects but due to our sparse snow cover: these areas will be confined to the biggest gullies and will be easily avoidable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 750 metres. Its about to melt though. ICING: Very poor. No routes are complete. COMMENT: Small cornices have formed above some North to South-East aspects. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------