NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 3/2/03 Continued Westerly winds, cool temperatures and moderate snow amounts have contributed to significant slab development most noticeable on East aspects. The overall distribution remains highly variable but where tested the slab sheared easily and an avalanche was triggered on an East aspect at 1100 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 4/2/03 Winds are forecast to swing to the North-West with continued snow showers, some heavy. The distribution of the storm instability will become more widespread as terrain irregularities fill in. The poor stability due to a buried soft layer will persist and avalanches will occur mainly on North-Easterly through to Southerly aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Skiing on piste available but not extensive. ICING: Remaining low angle ice under cover; should be building. COMMENT: By definition, poor stability means avalanches can start naturally or with low additional loads. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 3/2/03 Snow showers and WNW winds are continuing to build areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest deposits and on NE through to S aspects. Scarp slopes, gullies and crag aprons are particularly affected. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche activity noted on E and SE facing scarp slopes and gullies on Aonach Mor. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 4/2/03 A strong, showery NNW airflow will continue through-out the period. Areas of unstable windslab will persist in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on NE through to S aspects, notable scarp slopes, gullies and crag aprons. Avalanches are likely in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow at all levels. ICING: Remaining cold through-out the period. COMMENT: Unstable approaches and exits to many routes. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 3/2/03 Heavy snow showers and West-Northwesterly winds have formed areas of highly unstable deep windslab mainly above 750 metres. Greatest accumulations of windslab have formed on slopes with a Northeast to Southerly aspect and in sheltered areas such as gullies and hollows. Weakly bonded cornices are forming in many of these locations. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Windward slopes have been scoured of fresh snow and are icy in places. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 4/2/03 It will remain very cold with heavy snow showers and gales overnight and through Tuesday. With winds coming from a Northwesterly direction 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 in sheltered locations. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Avalanches will occur in affected areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow at all levels. ICING: Ice forming in watercourses and on rocks above 200 metres. Freezing at sea level overnight and on Tuesday. COMMENT: Windslab and cornices will require caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 3/2/03 After overnight snow showers there has been no new snow today with continuous drifting being the dominant feature. Deep windslab exists on mainly NE through to S aspects although most sheltering features hold some deposits. Drifts in excess of two metres are common with deposits weakly bonded and unstable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 4/2/03 Snow showers on severe gale force winds will continue to build unstable windslab on E to S aspects although cross loading will occur due to sheltering features. This further loading of the already weakly bonded windslab will provide the trigger for avalanche activity. Steeper sheltered locations are most likely to be affected but open slope cover is now widespread. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. 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: Progress very slow even wearing snow shoes. Allow extra time and pack more calories! CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 3/2/03 Heavy snow showers on a gale force West-North-West wind have added to the recently fallen, deep snow deposits. Highly unstable and deep windslab is present on all aspects above 500 metres, although North through East to South facing slopes are most affected. Fresh avalanche debris was noted in Moy Coire and in Coire nan Gall, both of which occurred on East aspects. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 4/2/03 Heavy snow showers will continue on a storm force North- Westerly wind. Highly, unstable and deep windslab will continue to build on all aspects above 500 metres, although North through East to South aspects will continue to most affected. Large cornices will grow further in the very strong winds. Due to the sheer depth of snow, avalanches will occur on any steep slope on all aspects above 500 metres, so great care should be taken. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Horrendously deep at all levels. Travel anywhere is very difficult even on skis. ICING: Improved but buried and inaccessible. COMMENT: If you remember rightly we asked for a loan of a helicopter. Well? Where is it? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------