NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 22/2/03 There have been very small amounts of new snow accumulations on North aspects above 900 metres. The snowpack stability is generally good with some easy shears due to buried growth crystals (facets). There is very limited potential for a fracture line to develop across the slope. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 23/2/03 The slow warming trend is forecast to continue. This will contribute to rounding and strengthening of the facets. The snowpack stability will remain good with isolated pockets of slab on Northerly quarter aspects above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The recent trace amounts of snow have made no difference to the limited skiing on the plateau. ICING: The most noticeable build-up is on watercourses and low angle terrain. COMMENT: Warming will contribute to rockfall potential due to already thin snow-ice cover LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 22/2/03 Localised areas of hard windslab overlying soft weak snow exist mainly on steep Northerly aspects above 1000m. Elsewhere the snowpack is generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 23/2/03 Slightly warmer conditions with sleet or rain on the summits are expected during Sunday morning. The warmer temperatures should help stabilise the existing areas of hard slab. No significant new snow accumulations are expected. Snowpack stability will be generally good. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations in N and E facing corries above 900m. ICING: Freezing level rising slightly on Sunday. COMMENT: Strong Southerly winds continuing. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 22/2/03 After a cold night the snowpack was initially firm and icy. Milder conditions during the course of the day have started to soften the surface of the snowpack. Stability is generally good with only minor surface instabilities forming on the steepest of slopes and gullies; these areas are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 23/2/03 A band of moderate rain or sleet will affect the area early on Sunday morning. During the initial phase of this period stability on the steepest slopes and gullies will be suspect as the snowpack becomes soft and moist. Cornice collapse and falling ice are distinct possibilities during this period. General snowpack stability will improve later but surface wet snow instabilities will remain on the steepest of slopes and gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700 metres. ICING: Ice above 300m. COMMENT: Hazard of falling rocks and ice as freezing level rises to 1500 metres and rain affects the area. Windy with Southerly severe gales forecast for summits on Sunday SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 22/2/03 It was a cloudy day with the freezing level around the 900 metre level. Although snow is much softer than of late it remains generally well bonded at all levels. Largest areas are to be found on E to S aspects. Localised areas of softer deposits exist in sheltered locations on NW to NE aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 23/2/03 There will be thaw conditions at all levels with severe gales from the S, the freezing level reaching 1800 metres and some light rain. Generally the patchy snow will remain well bonded but softer localised deposits which have developed over older snow-ice on NW and NE aspects will become moderately bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy firm cover. More extensive areas on E to S aspects. ICING: Thawing at all levels. COMMENT: A difficult day on the hill is expected. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 22/2/03 After a good overnight freeze it has become a little milder. Despite there being extremely isolated and shallow patches of windslab in the most sheltered of hollows on North to East aspects above 800 metres, these areas are so isolated, shallow and easily avoidable that they do not constitute a hazard. On all other aspects the snowpack is well bonded and stable. There are large cornices above many steep slopes in the region and particularly above the Inner Coire. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 23/2/03 A slow thaw will set in with the freezing level above the summits and a band of sleet or rain crossing the region in the early morning driven on a storm force Southerly wind. Apart from an enhancement of the wintry appearance of the very tops of North-West to North-East aspects there will be little change to the current snow conditions. The snowpack will soften but remain well bonded and stable on all aspects. Although slopes and gullies will be stable, sluffing may occur from any fragile cornices. Overall the avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover in the Coires. ICING: Most routes but not all are in nick. Its going to start melting though. COMMENT: 60 mph driven sleet! I don't care its my day off! You can have it all to yourselves! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------