NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 5/2/03 Clear skies during the day revealed significant avalanche debris and increased level of snow cover above 800 metres mostly on East and South aspects. The previously identified firm on soft layer showed strengthening through age hardening in some areas, contributing to a degree of improved stability. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 6/2/03 Increasing temperatures and rain will contribute to a period of poor stability in areas where the firm over soft layer still exists. This is mainly on East and South aspects above 850 metres, where avalanches will occur. However as the winds change to the South-West, Northerly aspects will also be affected. During the onset and initial period of rain the avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Much improved off piste. ICING: Cascade is back. COMMENT: Special care approaching North, East and South aspect climbs. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 4/2/03 Snow showers and a Northerly airflow are continuing to build areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest deposits are on NE through to S aspects. Scarp slopes, gullies and crag aprons are particularly affected. Under test this slab is weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche debris noted on E and SE facing scarp slopes and gullies on Aonach Mor. Cornices are soft and unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 5/2/03 A showery NNW airflow will continue overnight, becoming dry for Wednesday. Areas of unstable windslab will persist in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on NE through to S aspects, particularly scarp slopes, gullies and crag aprons. Avalanches are likely in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices will be present. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow at all levels, today (Tuesday). ICING: Remaining cold through-out the period. COMMENT: Unstable approaches and exits to many routes. Significant cornices forming on the above aspects. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 5/2/03 Cold dry and calm conditions overnight and today have improved the stability of much of the snowpack. Deep drifts remain in sheltered areas such as gullies and on slopes with a North-East to Southerly aspect, on steeper ground in these areas bonding remains weak. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Windward slopes have been scoured of much of the recent snow and are icy in places. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 6/2/03 Snow showers overnight and South-Westerly winds will initially form areas of windslab on North to East facing slopes. As milder conditions affect the area heavy rain at all levels will saturate the snowpack. Deep drifts and windslab in sheltered areas such as gullies and slopes mainly with a North through East to South aspect will be particularly affected. During this thaw period the avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur in areas where deep accumulations of recent snow exist. Colder conditions later on Thursday will start to improve general stability of the snowpack. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels Wednesday. ICING: Ice above 100m on Wednesday but becoming mild with freezing levels above tops initially on Thursday. COMMENT: Wednesday turned out to be superb with conditions starting to shape up, poor forecast for Thursday SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 5/2/03 A beautiful day on the hills with sun warming of S aspects occurring. Windslab is to be found on E to S aspects at most levels. Open slope cover tends to be moderately bonded and progressive in density. In sheltered locations deposits remain soft and are moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 6/2/03 After light snow overnight the freezing level will rise to above the summits. Moderate rain on gale force winds will soak surface layers. This combination of rain and the 1500 metre freezing level will destabilise the moderately to weakly bonded deposits that exist in many sheltered locations but especially on E to S aspects. Soft cornices will be prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep drifts on E to S aspects. Thinner cover elsewhere. Plateau areas scoured. ICING: Lochnagar still lean. Easier gullies are complete. COMMENT: Both Black Spout exits contain soft deposits. Unlikely to be a pleasant day tomorrow! CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 5/2/03 After a calm and cold day there has been little change to the snowpack at higher altitudes. Steep slopes of a North-East through South-East to South-West aspect above 700 metres are loaded with deep, unstable windslab. Today's strong sunshine has helped to bond the snowpack at lower altitudes with other aspects windblown and somewhat safer. Large cornices can be found above almost any steep corrie with the recent variable winds. Fresh debris from a cornice collapse was noted in Coire nan Gall. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 6/2/03 Overnight snow showers on a strong South-South-West wind, will for a time, cause shallow fresh windslab to form on North- west to North-East aspects above 800 metres. This however is unimportant as the freezing level climbs to well above the summits with heavy rain at all levels. On all steep aspects above 700 metres but particularly North-East through South-East to South-West ones, large avalanches will occur as the mass of snow we have at present becomes saturated and extremely prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Beware of avalanche run out zones. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep snow at all levels. ICING: Improved but pretty inaccessible. COMMENT: Debris from cornice collapse and avalanches could run for some distance. Take care. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------