NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 7/2/03 There is still reasonable cover on the plateau even though there have been warm Westerly winds and some light rain over the tops during the day. The snowpack stability is generally good except for some areas on North aspects with deep foot penetration. Avalanche debris was noted on Sron na Lairige from 1000 metres on a North-East aspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 8/2/03 There will be South-Westerly winds with rain overnight through to Saturday morning. The surface snowpack instability due to rain will persist particularly in areas with deep foot penetration on North, East and South aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still large areas of good cover on plateau today. ICING: Bombarded by buttress ice chips. COMMENT: Beware rock missiles. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 7/2/03 The thaw conditions have helped stabilise the snowpack which is now generally stable. Surface instabilities still persist on steep slope inclinations. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 8/2/03 Light rain at all levels will continue through out the next 24 hours. The snowpack will continue to gradually thaw at all levels. Snowpack stability will remain generally good, although some surface instabilities will remain on steep slope inclinations. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main snow accumulations remain above 800m. ICING: Freezing level remaining above the summits for the next 24 hours. COMMENT: Hazard of falling ice and rocks on steep ground. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 7/2/03 Mild conditions with some rain at all levels has softened and moistened the snowpack. Deep drifts of wet snow exist in sheltered gullies on many aspects but mainly on slopes facing North-East to South above 650m. Bonding is moderate to poor where these deposits lie on steep ground. Cornices are becoming wet and heavy and are prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 8/2/03 Further rain and mild conditions with strong SW winds will affect the area during this period. Little change is expected to the snowpack. Wet snow instabilities will exist on steep slopes at the tops of gullies and under cornice formations. These conditions mainly exist on slopes with a North to East aspect and in areas such as summit gullies especially where deep deposits lie. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 450 metres. ICING: Thawing ice above 300m. COMMENT: Buttresses and ridges are the safer option. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 7/2/03 The warmer conditions are now reducing the snow cover more rapidly. In general stability is good with the majority of the snow pack wet but of uniform density. In steeper sheltered locations on mainly E to S aspects above 900 metres soft wet slab is moderately to weakly bonded to the firmer, still dry deposits beneath. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 8/2/03 It will become very mild overnight with further significant reduction of the snow cover expected. The majority of the snow pack will be wet but generally stable. In steeper sheltered locations on mainly E to S aspects above 900 metres deposits of different density will remain moderately bonded. There will be a risk of falling rocks, ice and cornice collapse during the prolonged thaw. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thawing at all levels. Deepest cover on S to E aspects. Becoming patchy elsewhere. ICING: Subject to thaw conditions today. Will become very mild overnight. COMMENT: Lochnagar was already lean and very little is likely to survive tonight's temperatures. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 7/2/03 A dry day with freezing levels above the summits. The snowpack is slowly consolidating in the milder air. Wet surface snow with dry moderately bonded layers can still be found in deeper deposits. All aspects above 600 metres still hold significant quantities of deep drifted snow with North-East through South-East to South-West holding the most. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Steep and convex terrain remains suspect in milder air and large cornices were observed still hanging above mainly East to South aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 8/2/03 Light rain with the freezing levels remaining above the summits and a strong South-West wind. Surface snow will be wet with moderately bonded dry layers found in deeper drifts. All aspects above 600 metres hold deep drifted snow with North-East through South-East to South-West aspects holding the most. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). As mild and wet conditions continue convex and steep terrain will become increasingly suspect. Watch out for terrain traps as large cornices are present above mainly East to South aspects and debris will run a long way. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still managed to ski to the road on good but slightly damp snow. ICING: Improving but thawing. Still inaccessible with deep snow. COMMENT: Huge cornices still present above many aspects. Debris will run a long way, so watch out in mild and claggy conditions!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------