NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 6/3/03 There were persistent snow showers as low as 600 metres with moderately strong Westerly winds. The most notable loading was at the top of the Couloir in Coire an Lochan. Many North aspect slopes had been scoured but there were other small pockets on North-East and East aspects with foot penetration up to 20 centimetres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 7/3/03 Moderate snow is forecast with a slight change in wind direction to South and South-West. Slab will develop quickly on Northerly aspects and there will be additional storm load on East aspects. Avalanches will occur on North and East aspect above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Ice sheet alternating with boulder field and snow patches on plateau. ICING: It's quit leaking but for how long? COMMENT: Another rapidly developing avalanche situation is potentially on the horizon. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 6/3/03 Snow showers and a strong SW airflow have formed fresh areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Accumulations of up to 50cm are present and shear easily under test. Steep slopes with N through to E aspects above 900m hold the greatest accumulations, with scarp slopes, tops of gullies and areas around the base of crags being particularly suspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 7/3/03 Snow, strong S to SW winds, and fluctuating freezing levels will continue to form windslab of varying density over the next 24hrs. Greatest accumulations will be on steep NW through N to E aspects above 900m. Gullies, scarp slopes and around the base of crags will be particularly suspect. Avalanches will occur in these areas. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 700m today (Thursday) ICING: Improving on the higher routes. COMMENT: It felt like a return to winter on the summits today! Caution advised with regards to approaches and exits from routes. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 6/3/03 Snow showers above 700m with strong South-Westerly winds have formed pockets of shallow soft slab. The greatest accumulations are mainly above 850 metres in sheltered North through to East aspects and especially around the tops of sheltered summit gullies and on scarp slopes. On steep N to E facing slopes these new deposits are moderately bonded and the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 7/3/03 Light snow showers or sleet and strong South to South-Westerly winds overnight and on Friday will form more isolated areas of windslab around the tops of sheltered gullies and on scarp slopes with a North to East aspect mainly above 850 metres. On steep slopes where windslab exists it will be weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 750 metres mainly in higher corries and gullies. ICING: The freezing level will be around 900 metres for the outlook period. COMMENT: Areas of fresh windslab will require caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 6/3/03 The patchy snowpack is generally well bonded but localised areas of soft wet grains remain moderately bonded to an old crust beneath. These deposits exist in steeper sheltered locations on mainly N to E aspects above 900 metres. In the same locations limited new deposits are forming. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 7/3/03 It will remain mainly dry overnight with snow arriving around 6am on severe gale force S winds. Unstable deposits will rapidly accumulate in very sheltered locations on N aspects before the snow turns to rain during the morning. Depending on the duration and severity of the snow showers accumulations may be limited but could become significant. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Moderately bonded deposits will be found on N to E aspects but the majority of the patchy snowpack will be well bonded. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy with a fresh dusting from 700 metres . ICING: Evil hidden icy patches underfoot! COMMENT: Evening weather forecasts may be useful in determining snow amounts and timings. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 6/3/03 Through the last 24 hours, heavy snow showers have been driven on a gale force Westerly wind and have caused deep accumulations of soft slab to form on sheltered lee slopes of a North through East to South-East aspect above 800 metres. Although temperatures are relatively mild, which has helped consolidation slightly at lower levels, drifts, particularly on steep scarp slopes under cornices are very deep and shear fairly easily. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 7/3/03 Snowfall will increase in intensity overnight, driven on a strong South-West wind. Later, winds will back to the South and it will become warmer with snow turning to sleet. Unstable windslab will continue to accumulate in deep drifts on North-West through North to East aspects above 800 metres. These deposits will become increasingly heavy and unstable as they become saturated as it warms up. Fresh cornices that have built will also be suspect. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches are likely on the above aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow down to 700 metres. Blizzards over the tops. ICING: Can only be improving with all the freeze-thaw cycles. still best on the Post Face and in the Inner Coire. COMMENT: A day of all seasons. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------