NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 19/2/03 Strong Southerly winds and cold temperatures continued. There is still snow being transported in the otherwise dry conditions, creating pockets of slab mainly on North aspects above 1000 metres. Facets and buried surface hoar are still identifiable in the snowpack giving easy shears at test locations. The down slope extent of the slab is quite limited but often extends well across some aprons and scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 20/2/03 Snow showers with Southerly winds will contribute to additional loading of the North aspect scarp slopes and aprons. Easy shears will persist on these slopes although the areas of distribution will be more extensive across slope than down slope. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Tough skiing on the plateau, granite is not very slidy. ICING: Watercourses icy and some more build-up where you want it. COMMENT: Careful routefinding will avoid pockets of instability. Watch for parties above. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 19/2/03 The cold and settled conditions are maintaining the generally stable snowpack. The cold temperatures are continuing to develop hard slab overlying soft weak snow. This slab is isolated, shallow and generally restricted to steep NW to NE aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack is hard frozen and generally stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 20/2/03 The strong S to SE airflow will continue for the next 24 hours with only a trace of new snow on Thursday. Snowpack stability will remain generally good. A thin layer of weak hard slab will be present on slopes in the shade, mainly steep NW to NE aspects above 1000m. Any fresh deposits are not expected to be significant. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations in N and E facing corries above 900m. ICING: Routes still limited on the Ben, some of the deeper gully lines holding the best ice. COMMENT: Winds easing by Thursday. Ice axe and crampons essential. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 19/2/03 The snowpack has developed a widespread melt-freeze surface crust and is generally very stable in most locations. Isolated areas of shallow dense windslab exist above 900m with the greatest accumulations being around the tops of sheltered gullies and slopes with a North-West to North-East aspect. These areas are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 20/2/03 In most areas the snow pack will remain very stable with a widespread icy surface forming due to the continuing cold conditions. Light snow flurries and strong Southerly winds on Thursday will form areas of shallow windslab in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North-West to North-Easterly aspect. These deposits will generally be shallow and confined mainly to the tops of gullies and sheltered scarp slopes. Bonding to underlying snow-ice will be moderate where any deeper deposits form on steeper slopes. Avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700 metres. ICING: Widespread ice forming above 100m. COMMENT: Isolated areas of fresh windslab will require caution, elsewhere snowpack is re-frozen giving a hard icy surface which is very unforgiving. Ice axe, crampons and good technique for use essential. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 19/2/03 The patchy snow cover is generally firm and well bonded with more extensive areas to be found on E to S aspects. Isolated pockets of soft deposits exist in sheltered locations on NW to NE aspects. These deposits are limited in both depth and distribution. Faceted crystals with the potential to weaken the snowpack have previously been found in cold shallow snow locations. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 20/2/03 The winds will remain strong with summit temperatures of plus 1 degree centigrade due to inversion conditions until around mid- day on Thursday. There may be some softening of surface layers by the late morning before they re-freeze once again in the afternoon. Some light patchy snow flurries are expected in the afternoon but these will not be enough to alter the avalanche hazard which will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy firm cover. More extensive areas on E to S aspects. ICING: Watercourses continue to be the better option with buttress routes remaining lean. COMMENT: Temperature inversion expected overnight and early tomorrow. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 19/2/03 It has been another fine day, staying cold and dry with a strong South-Easterly airflow. As there has been no further snowfall the snowpack has remained well frozen and stable on all aspects. Ridges and buttresses are pretty bare but there is still good cover in the corries and gullies. Large cornices remain above many steep slopes and particularly above the Inner Coire. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 20/2/03 It will remain fairly cold and dry overnight resulting in little change to the current snow conditions. The snowpack will stay well bonded and stable on all aspects for much of the day. Later in the period, patchy light snow flurries will be driven onto North-West to North-East aspects above 800 metres by a strong South-South-East wind. The most sheltered of hollows on these aspects may see extremely shallow patches of windslab forming but they will be isolated and easily avoidable. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy down to 500 metres. All gully lines are complete. ICING: The more snowy routes are a little cruddy but otherwise not too bad. COMMENT: At least fifty climbers in the corrie today (19.02.03) on various routes having fun. Arrive early to avoid disappointment! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------