NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/3/03 Heavy snow overnight fell in moderate winds which were variable in direction with the main loading on North and East aspects. The storm snow gives foot penetration of up to 60 centimetres. Avalanche activity was noted on an East aspect at 1080 metres. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/3/03 The storm instability will persist through the report period accompanied by a rise in temperature. Winds will continue to transport snow particularly on to North aspects at all avalanche terrain elevations. The storm snow will slowly settle but the very soft layer on crust will continue to give easy shears. Avalanches will occur in the storm snow due to rise in temperature. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: On the plateau deep foot penetration areas are still surrounded by zones of bare ground. ICING: Buttresses looking white but mainly new soft snow cover. COMMENT: After an extended period of limited avalanche potential, it's now time to put our avalanche thinking hats back on. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/3/03 The showery SW airflow is continuing to form localised areas of windslab in sheltered locations. Accumulations are generally restricted to steep N, NE and E facing gullies and scarp slopes above 1100m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/3/03 A cold and showery SW airflow will continue overnight. Localised areas of unstable windslab will continue to form in sheltered locations. Accumulations will generally be restricted to steep N, NE and E facing scarp slopes above 1100m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light dusting of fresh snow above 800m. ICING: Freezing level lowering to around 700m overnight and up to 1100m during Monday. COMMENT: Winds strengthening during Monday afternoon. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/3/03 Heavy snow showers above 850 metres and variable winds have formed areas of soft slab in sheltered areas. Greatest depths are to be found around the tops of scarp slopes with a North to Easterly aspect and in sheltered summit gully exits. Bonding is moderate to poor in these locations. Elsewhere the snowpack is moist and stability is generally good. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) in affected areas. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/3/03 Cooler conditions overnight with freezing levels of 700 metres will start to re-freeze much of the existing snow cover. Areas of existing soft slab will remain at higher levels with some re- distribution in the strong South-Westerly airflow. Unstable windslab will form in sheltered areas such as summit gullies and scarp slopes with a North to Easterly aspect. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the existing snowpack will generally be stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800 metres ICING: Ice above 800m generally thawing. COMMENT: Cover of fresh snow on higher ridges and buttresses. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/3/03 There was light new snow from 650 metres with deeper accumulations from 800 metres in sheltered locations on N to E aspects. These areas were localised and avoidable on open ground but consolidation is minimal with easy shears achieved at profile sites. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/3/03 It will be a windy day but there will be no new snow. Deeper accumulations will be found in sheltered locations on N to E aspects above 800 metres. On steep slopes these localised deposits will be moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow has improved appearance. ICING: Limited. COMMENT: The freezing level will be at 1100 metres during Monday. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/3/03 Overnight and into this morning, heavy snow showers driven on a strong West-South-West wind caused deep accumulations of windslab to form in sheltered gullies on North-East to South- East aspects above 800 metres. Fortunately it has remained fairly mild with the freezing level at around 1000 metres. This has allowed the fresh windslab to settle slightly, although a shear can still be obtained fairly easily in deeper deposits. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/3/03 Although it will remain dry, South-West winds will back towards the South and will be strong enough to cause further drifting. Unstable windslab will continue to build in sheltered gullies on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres, with fresh fringes growing on existing cornices above the same aspects. The snowpack on other aspects will benefit further from the recent freeze-thaw cycle and will be well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3) on the above mentioned aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow down to 700 metres. Good depth in the gullies. ICING: Apart from Ritchie's, Pinnacle Buttress is fairly bare. The Post Face and Inner Coire are better. COMMENT: It's looking a bit wintrier again. Hopefully repairing all the ice that the visiting hordes have chopped up recently. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------