NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 1/3/03 The two week drought has finally broken with rain overnight at the summit followed by snow down to 900 metres. The Southerly winds continued with accumulations of 2 to 5 centimetres mostly on North aspects. On steep South aspects, such as Hell's Lum Crag, small surface sluffs and airborne ice chunks were observed. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 2/3/03 Light snow above 850 metres will not appreciably change surface stability that will remain fair to good. On South aspects the areas of deep foot penetration in moist snow will have fair stability. There will be continuing risk of small sluffs on steep South aspect terrain. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Plateau rain crust sometimes supports walking weight. ICING: Some fatter ice intact, some falling off and some looking like it is about to fall off. COMMENT: Minor cornice buildup noted at top of No. 2 buttress at Coire an Lochan. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 1/3/03 SSW winds and snow showers have formed fresh areas of soft slab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are on steep NW through to NE aspects above 1000m. Deposits are isolated and generally restricted to sheltered scarp slopes and the tops of gullies. Under test this slab is weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 2/3/03 Snow showers and a SW airflow will continue to add to existing areas of soft slab. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered steep slopes with NW through to NE to E aspects above 1000m. Deposits will be isolated and generally restricted to sheltered scarp slopes and the tops of gullies. Elsewhere the snowpack will be hard frozen and generally stable. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 800m on Saturday ICING: Just freezing around the summits today (Saturday). COMMENT: Winds easing on Sunday, Freezing level lowering should see routes improve a bit. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 1/3/03 Snow showers above 850 metres and Southerly winds have formed pockets of soft slab in sheltered areas. Greatest depths are to be found around the tops of scarp slopes with a North- West to North-East aspect and in sheltered gully exits. Bonding is moderate in these locations. Elsewhere the snowpack stability is generally good. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 2/3/03 Slightly cooler conditions will affect the area for the outlook period. The existing snowpack will start to firm up at higher levels as freezing levels come down to 900 metres on Sunday. With only light snow forecast overnight shallow isolated areas of soft slab will form in sheltered areas such as summit gullies and scarp slopes with a North-West to North-East aspect. These areas will generally be avoidable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the existing snowpack will generally be stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800 metres mainly in high Northerly facing corries and gullies. ICING: Ice above 800m generally thawing. COMMENT: Light cover of fresh snow on higher ridges and buttresses, still some good skiing and boarding on upper runs at Glencoe Ski Centre with widespread cover of soft spring snow. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 1/3/03 Light fresh snow has fallen above 900 metres. Generally new cover is limited but in sheltered locations on mainly NW through to SE aspects slightly deeper deposits exist. Bonding is minimal between these new accumulations and the firmer snow- ice. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). The majority of the snowpack remains well bonded with softer deposits encountered below 900 metres. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 2/3/03 There will be further light snow overnight above 900 metres. Deposits will be limited but slightly deeper accumulations will be found in sheltered locations on NW through to SE aspects. Due to the firm nature of the base bonding will be poor. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). The majority of the patchy snow cover will be well bonded but soft below 900 metres. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover. More extensive areas on E to S aspects and the highest hills. ICING: Freezing level will be at 900 metres on Sunday. COMMENT: Rain caused significant snow reduction at lower levels on Friday night. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 1/3/03 After a mild night it became a little colder with light snow showers across the summits. A dusting of fresh snow has been left above 900 metres with the strong Southerly wind leaving very isolated pockets of windslab in the tops of the most sheltered gullies on North-West to North-East aspects. Apart from these easily avoidable patches the snowpack is generally stable on all other aspects, although quite soft and damp due to the recent mild conditions. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 2/3/03 Light snow showers will continue overnight on a strong Southerly wind. Extremely isolated and shallow pockets of windslab will persist in the very tops of the most sheltered gullies on North-West to North-East aspects above 900 metres. The remainder of the snowpack will benefit from a slight dip in temperature and firm up a little more, and so remain well bonded and stable on all other aspects. The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good depth in the gullies. ICING: Best on the Post Face but getting thin at the base of some routes. The Inner Coire is not bad either. COMMENT: To save queuing time at the Last Post, please take a ticket and wait for your number to be called! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------