NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 8/3/03 The winds eased, temperatures rose during the day and there were mostly clear skies. At the summit of Cairn Gorm the temperature remained just below freezing. On Southerly aspects there was strong direct radiation. The snowpack, where tested, on a Northerly aspect at 1100 metres had good stability. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 9/3/03 There will be a period of poor stability due to warming and rain followed by cooling and wet snow. On the recently loaded terrain there is over half a metre of storm snow. Avalanches will occur mainly on Northerly and Easterly aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Skiable sections and rocky zones on plateau. ICING: Climbers reporting 'good' ice and frozen turf. COMMENT: The timing of the warming will be critical to the avalanche cycle. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 8/3/03 Areas of moderately well bonded windslab are present on steep N, NE and E aspects above 1000m. The freezing level is hovering around the summits thus producing a wet snowpack at all levels. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Surface instabilities are present on steep slopes exposed to solar radiation. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 9/3/03 A major thaw with rain at all levels is expected overnight and during Sunday. The snowpack will become moist at all levels. Wet snow avalanches will occur, mainly on steep N, NE and E facing slopes and gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Later on Sunday afternoon, slightly cooler temperatures should begin to stabilise the snowpack. Cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations above 900m. ICING: Freezing level rising to 1700m overnight. COMMENT: A disgusting day in prospect for Sunday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 8/3/03 The new snow deposits were lighter than expected with the greatest accumulations being in the higher sheltered corries and gullies above 870m. The Northerly aspects still hold the most snow some windslab exists on N to NE facing slopes. On steep N to E facing slopes the snowpack is generally weakly bonded more especially around the tops of sheltered gullies and on scarp slopes. In these locations the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 9/3/03 A heavy thaw with rain and strong SW winds at all levels is expected to affect the area for the period of this report. The snowpack will become saturated with rain leading to wet snow instabilities on slopes of all aspects. Above 800m the steep NW to NE facing slopes will present the greatest hazard and cornices will be prone to collapse. Avalanches are likely in these areas. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION:Snow above 800m. ICING: Freezing level between 1700 and 1500m! COMMENT: Expected to become colder later on Sunday afternoon - Let's pray. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 8/3/03 There was a little new snow last night but none has fallen during the day. Recent deposits that exist in sheltered locations on NW to NE aspects above 950 metres have begun to consolidate but they remain moderately to weakly bonded where they have developed over older snow-ice at higher elevations. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Generally the patchy snow cover remains well bonded. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 9/3/03 There will be heavy rain overnight accompanied by a 1600 metre freezing level. The rain will moderate on Sunday but the freezing level will remain the same until the afternoon when there is a possibility of the showers becoming wintry on the summits only. The combination of rain and the mild temperatures will destabilise the recent deposits that exist in sheltered locations on NW to NE aspects above 950 metres, where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). The rest of the snowpack will remain soft but well bonded. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Heavy rain could cause considerable damage to the patchy snow cover. ICING: Subject to significant thaw conditions overnight. COMMENT: Forecast to become colder in the afternoon. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 8/3/03 With only a trace of fresh snow, fairly mild temperatures and strong sunshine there is evidence of some settlement in windslab found on lee slopes. In sheltered gullies and hollows on North through East to South-East aspects above 900 metres, moderately bonded windslab deposits were encountered. In field tests this windslab still shears and with this morning's strong sun causing sluffing and instability in cornices the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 9/3/03 A brief period of sleet will quickly turn to rain as the freezing level climbs to well above the summits. Rainfall will be fairly heavy driven on a severe gale force South-West wind. The snowpack will become saturated on all aspects with the deeper deposits of windslab in gullies on North through East to South- East facing slopes becoming increasingly heavy and unstable. Wet slab avalanches and cornice collapse are likely on these aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 800 metres. Good depth still in the gullies. ICING: It's holding on the Post Face and in the Inner Coire but looks rotten on lower pitches. COMMENT: There are large cornices above the approaches to the Window. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------