NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/2/03 It was a clear sunny day with summit mid-day temperature of minus 6 degrees and light Southerly winds prevailing but locally some Westerly. Surface hoar distribution appeared to be less widespread and may have been buried in some areas by light drifting on North aspects. A snow profile gave an easy shear on East aspect at 1050 metres of the stiff surface slab on a very soft buried layer. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/2/03 Another dry fine cool day is forecast. The distribution of the identified easy shear appears to be quite isolated and unless given high additional load will not release. This instability has been identified on North, East and South aspects from 850-1100 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still skiable zones on the plateau under sunny skies. ICING: Sketchy in places where more would be useful. COMMENT: Mostly the instability discussed can be avoided through caeful routefinding. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/2/03 The settled, cold conditions are maintaining a generally stable snowpack. On slopes which remain in the shade, mainly steep N aspects above 1000m, the cold temperatures are developing a hard surface crust with weaker snow underneath. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/2/03 Little change is expected over the next 24 hours. The snowpack will remain generally stable. On slopes which remain in the shade, mainly steep N aspects above 1000m, the cold temperatures will continue to develop a hard surface crust with weaker snow underneath. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in N and E facing corries above 900m. ICING: All old snow is hard frozen. COMMENT: Hazard of falling ice and snow from steep slopes exposed to the sun. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/2/03 With cold settled conditions affecting the area at present the snowpack has developed melt freeze crust in most areas and is generally stable. Areas of shallow soft slab exist above 900m with the greatest accumulations being in sheltered gullies and slopes with a North through to East aspect. These areas are generally well bonded however deeper areas may require some caution. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/2/03 The cold, dry and settled conditions are expected to continue for the forecast period. The snowpack will re-freeze during Friday night giving stable conditions in most locations. Pockets of windslab may remain in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North to Easterly aspect. These deposits will generally be shallow and localised mainly to the tops of gullies and sheltered scarp slopes. Avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700 metres. ICING: Ice forming above 300m in watercourses and on rocks. COMMENT: Conditions improving with continuing low temperatures, Snow cover remains fairly thin and is mainly in high corries and gullies. Perfect "alpine" style weather on Friday with similar outlook for Saturday! SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/2/03 The cool clear conditions have not altered remaining snow which is generally well bonded on all aspects. The cover is mainly firm but with some crusty areas. More extensive patches remain on E to S aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/2/03 There will be little change to existing conditions. The patchy snowpack will remain generally well bonded on all aspects. Cover will be mainly firm with some crusty areas. The more extensive areas will be found on E and S aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy firm cover. More extensive areas on E to S aspects. ICING: Areas such as Eagle's Rocks and Funeral Falls are holding ice. Lochnagar buttress routes remain very lean. COMMENT: Freezing from valley level. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/2/03 It was a dry and cold day with a very light Southerly wind. The snowpack remains hard, stable and generally well bonded on all aspects above 600 metres. Large surface hoar crystals have grown on sheltered Northerly aspects. There is a slight softening of surface layers where the snowpack is exposed to strong sunlight. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Large cornices still exist above many steep aspects, particularly the Inner Coire. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/2/03 Calm, cold conditions will bring no further precipitation. This will have little effect on present snow conditions. The snowpack will continue to be generally well bonded and stable on all aspects above 600 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). Large cornices will persist above many steep aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover in the corries. ICING: Post Face routes and Inner Coire have best condition, still lean elsewhere. COMMENT: Roses are red, we're enjoying the sun, the snows fairly stable, it's Category One. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------