NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/2/03 Strong Westerly winds continued with cool temperatures and increasing accumulations of snow particularly on East aspects. The snowpack where tested showed the still easy shearing firm slab over a very soft layer 35 centimetres down. The extent of overall snow cover is still lean on aprons, somewhat greater on scarp slopes of various aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/2/03 There are quite similar forecast values for snow in the next 24 hours to what we have had over each of the past few days. The winds will shift from the West to the North-West. Over the past few days the load has increased gradually on the identified weakness. Avalanches are likely due to this increasing load on North through Easter to Southerly aspects above 1000 metres. Watch for localised loading on smaller terrain features. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Many bare areas persist. ICING: Many areas with no ice persist. COMMENT: And persist with vigilance in our avalanche thinking and watching. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/2/03 Strong Westerly winds and snow showers are continuing to form areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Main accumulations are on sheltered NE, E and SE saspects, notably scarp slopes, gullies and crag aprons. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/2/03 Strong W to NW winds and snow showers will continue through out the next 24 hours. Unstable windslab will continue to form, mainly on sheltered NE, E, SE and some S aspects. Main accumulations will be on scarp slopes, gullies and crag aprons. Avalanches will occur in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels. ICING: Remaining cold through out the period. COMMENT: Unstable approaches and exits to many routes. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/2/03 Recent heavy snow showers and strong Westerly winds gave some severe drifting above 600 metres and formed areas of very unstable windslab. Under field test easy shears were attained with layers of hail evident within the snowpack. Greatest accumulations of windslab have formed on slopes with a North to South-East aspect and in sheltered areas such as gullies and hollows. Weakly bonded cornices are forming in many of these locations. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Windward slopes are being scoured of fresh snow and are icy in places. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/2/03 Heavy snow showers and gales will affect the area for the forecast period. With wind direction coming from the WNW significant accumulations of unstable windslab will continue to form in all sheltered areas. Greatest accumulations will form on slopes with a Northeast to Southerly aspect and in sheltered gullies with a high emphasis on exit fans where cross loading of windslab may be high. Weakly bonded cornices will also continue to form in similar locations. On Northerly aspects areas of older windslab may well remain. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Avalanches will occur in affected areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snowing at all levels. ICING: Ice forming in watercourses and on rocks above 500 metres. Freezing level 150 metres on Monday. COMMENT: Windslab and cornices will require caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/2/03 Heavy snow showers this morning fell on lighter winds than expected. Open slope cover on most aspects is now more widespread. Sheltered locations on NE through to S aspects contain significant drifted deposits. Poor stability was displayed by this weakly bonded windslab. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Soft unstable cornices are developing . AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/2/03 Further snow showers on gale force winds will continue to build unstable windslab on NE through to S aspects. Avalanches will occur with steeper sheltered locations most likely to present the greatest hazard. Cornices will develop rapidly and the possibility of natural triggering from above should not be underestimated. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Falling to valley level. Deep drifts in sheltered locations. Trail breaking required. ICING: Powder snow covering what little is present. Most Lochnagar routes remain lean. COMMENT: Potential for lengthy drier periods between showers but drifting will continue throughout. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/2/03 Heavy snow driven on severe gale force Westerly wind has caused deep and highly unstable windslab to form on all aspects above 500 metres, although North through East to South aspects are most affected. Higher exposed ridges have been blown clear with bottomless drifts in the base of the corries and glens. Fresh avalanche debris was noted on an Easterly aspect on the approach to Coire Ardair. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/2/03 Heavy snow showers driven on a gale force Westerly wind will further add to the already deep and highly unstable windslab accumulations found on any aspect over 500 metres. North through East to South aspects will continue to be most affected with large unstable cornices growing above them. Any steep slope above 500 metres should be treated with caution, due to the weight of new snow alone. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Avalanches will occur in affected areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep, fresh snow at all levels. Waist deep even on skis in places. ICING: Definitely improving. If you fancy a six hour trail break just to get to the Lochan! COMMENT: There are even scary cornices on the approach. Has anyone got a helicopter we can borrow? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------