NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12/2/03 After morning clearing there were mostly clear skies, light winds from the South-West and a mid-day temperature of -1.5 degrees on the plateau. There is new surface hoar observed on North, East and South aspects above 900 metres. The snowpack stability is good with some minor frail looking cornice build up on North and some South aspects locations. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13/2/03 Another dry day is forecast with light winds and temperatures below freezing to all levels overnight. There will still be pockets of firm snow on a soft layer, mainly on North aspects and particularly at mid-slope elevations (900-1000m). With the existing load on this weak layer the stability will be good. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Firm supporting surface down to 650 metres; reasonable ski touring on some plateau aspects. ICING: Quality okay. COMMENT: Keep an eye on the surface hoar. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12/2/03 Colder temperatures have stabilised the existing snowpack. Above 1100m, shallow deposits of unconsolidated soft snow are present, mainly on steep N and E aspects. Localised surface instabilities exist in these locations resulting in small spindrift avalanches. Snowpack stability is generally good. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13/2/03 Cold and dry conditions will prevail for the next 24 hours. Snowpack stability will remain generally good. Localised surface instabilities will continue to exist on steep N and E aspects above 1100m. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations in N and E facing corries above 900m. ICING: All old snow is hard frozen. COMMENT: Many on the easier classic snow and ice routes receiving attention today (Wednesday). The Curtain looks thin. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12/2/03 The snowpack has a thin melt-freeze crust and is generally stable. Areas of shallow soft slab exist above 900m with the great accumulations being in sheltered gullies and slopes with a North through to East aspect. These areas are generally well bonded but deeper areas need some caution. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13/2/03 Dry and settled conditions are expected to continue for the period with fresh Southerly winds. The snowpack will re-freeze during Wednesday night maintaining stable conditions. During the course of Thursday the snowpack below 950m will become moist as temperatures rise: this will lead to some localised wet snow instabilities on steeper slopes. The snowpack will however remain generally stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700 metres. ICING: Above 800m. COMMENT: Conditions improving with a ridge of high- pressure continuing to affect the area. A small chance of the odd light snow shower where clouds exist. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12/2/03 Clear calm conditions have not altered the snow condition. In a few isolated locations limited quantities of moderately bonded snow can be found on NW to N aspects above 900 metres. Elsewhere the patchy snowpack is crusty and generally well bonded at all levels. Some surface hoar development was noted in sheltered locations. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13/2/03 The snow condition will remain much the same. Any snow showers will be light. The majority of the snow will be well bonded except for a few isolated pockets of moderately bonded snow in steeper locations on NW and N aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy firm cover. Larger areas on E to S aspects. ICING: Some ice around but not too sure about the quality. COMMENT: Freezing levels will remain around 900 metres during the day. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12/2/03 Last night was cold and calm with only a light dusting of fresh snow above 900 metres. This has left the snowpack reasonably well bonded and stable on all aspects. However, although conditions are generally stable there are large cornices above many steep aspects and minor sluffing was noted on those that are being affected by the strong sunshine. There is a particularly large one above the South-East facing cliffs of Stob Poite Coire Ardair, which threatens the approach to the Window. Overall, the avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13/2/03 It will remain fairly cold and calm with only an outside chance of an isolated snow shower. These conditions will have little effect on the current snowpack, which will remain well bonded and stable on all aspects. Any slopes that are affected by strong sunshine will soften a little later in the day, as will any cornices. There are large cornices from Staghorn Gully across the Inner Coire and around the South-East facing cliffs above the approaches to the Window. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy down to 500 metres. Main cover above 700 metres. Easy snow climbs are well complete. ICING: There's climbable ice on many routes, with a scary looking ice umbrella at the top of the Wand! COMMENT: I was thoroughly enjoying the fine weather until I sat on my Vuarnets! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------