NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29/1/03 Travel conditions eased on the plateau to reveal the extent of damage from the warm wet cycle. North aspects remain scoured with gullies in Coire an Lochan being more complete than those in Coire an t-Sneachda. The snow accumulations have been mostly on the previously minimally filled-in South aspects and at lower heather elevations. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30/1/03 Further snow accumulations will be mainly on South aspects with freezing levels to 200 metres. Avalanches are likely on South aspects above 1000 metres. These will run into bare ground and rocky terrain. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Skiable sections on S aspects of the plateau. ICING: Some high quality ribbons of hard snow in gullies, but not very much of it. COMMENT: The tops of some 'easy' gullies indicate some 'interesting' alternative exits due to lack of snow. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29/1/03 NW to N winds with snow showers overnight and during Wednesday have formed areas of soft windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are on E and SE aspects above 1000m. Scarp slopes and around the base of crags are particularly affected. Under test this slab shows poor stability. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche activity observed on E and SE aspects, Aonach Mor. Cornices are soft and unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30/1/03 A Northerly airflow and light snow showers will see little change in the current snowpack over the next 24hrs. Accumulations of unstable windslab will be present on E to SE to S aspects above 1000m. Where this slab exists in significant amounts, notably the tops of gullies, scarp slopes and crag aprons, avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices will continue to form. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 400m on Wednesday. ICING: Reforming but still lean, various routes seeing ascents on Aonach Mor today. COMMENT: Caution advised with choice of approaches and exits of routes. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29/1/03 Strong Northerly winds and snow showers have formed isolated areas of windslab mainly around the tops of the higher sheltered gullies and on slopes with an Easterly to Southerly aspect. In areas where deeper accumulations of fresh windslab lie on older firmer snow and on the steepest slopes bonding is moderate to poor, elsewhere stability is generally good with much of the new snow lying on rocks and heather. Avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30/1/03 Cold conditions with occasional snow showers will continue overnight and through Thursday. Strengthening Northerly winds will continue to form weakly bonded windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest deposits will form in sheltered summit gullies particularly around the tops and mainly around the tops of South-East to South-West facing slopes. In areas exposed to the prevailing winds the surface of the snow will become scoured and icy. Avalanche hazard Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow lying above 750 m. ICING: Re-forming above 500m in watercourses and on rocks COMMENT: Conditions have improved slightly with colder weather, light cover of new snow on higher ridges and buttresses We still need a lot more snow. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29/1/03 Extremely strong winds have stripped E facing slopes and re-distributed deposits on to SE to SW aspects. The most sheltered locations hold unstable soft windslab with moderately bonded firm windslab in more exposed positions. New snow amounts are modest but recently drifted deposits exceed a metre in depth. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30/1/03 Snow showers on severe gale force winds will continue to build weakly bonded deposits in very sheltered locations on SE to SW aspects tomorrow. Deposits will be localised with gully exits, scarp slopes and similar sheltered features most likely to be affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches are likely in areas of greatest accumulation. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally very thin cover. Deeper drifts in sheltered locations on SE to SW aspects. ICING: Turning very cold. COMMENT: Continuing windy with blizzard conditions at times. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29/1/03 Frequent heavy snow showers driven on a gale force North- West wind have caused deep accumulations of soft slab to form on East to South aspects above 600 metres. Although there is some bonding of these drifts, they are in places very deep (over 2 metres) and the load of snow alone causes an easy shear. Fresh cornices are rapidly building above the same slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30/1/03 Snow showers will increase in intensity over the period with a strengthening Northerly wind. Snow will continue to be transported rapidly on to lee slopes of an East through South to South-West aspect above 600 metres. Already very deep, unstable windslab accumulations on these aspects will become more widespread with more open slopes becoming increasingly affected. Weak layers will also persist in the cold temperatures. Avalanches will occur where these conditions exist. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels. Very deep in drifts.. ICING: Improving slightly but still very poor. COMMENT: Difficult trail breaking with waist deep drifts! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------