NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12/3/03 Overnight snow accumulations have been deposited mainly on the approach slopes to climbs on both North and South aspects. The upper slopes of North and East aspects have been well scoured. Although some field tests gave clean shears the snowpack is stable across the slope. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13/3/03 The winds will change from Northerly to South-West and Westerly. The light winds forecast will not significantly alter the load pattern. Due to the previous rain soaking of the snowpack there will continue to be soft moist layers below the tough crust. The snowpack will remain mostly stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Skiable sections on plateau. ICING: Quite good considering the winter so far and quite a few people on it. COMMENT: Wide variation in distribution of new snow across the Cairngorms. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12/3/03 A fine day, a light NE wind and colder temperatures have helped consolidate the existing snowpack. Accumulations of moderately bonded snow are present on steep NE to E through to S aspects above 1100m. Localised surface instabilities are developing on steep aspects exposed to the sun. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13/3/03 Cold conditions and continuing high pressure will see little change in the existing snowpack. Accumulations of moderately bonded snow will be present on steep NE to E through to S aspects above 1100m. Localised surface instabilities will form on steep aspects exposed to the sun. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations in high N and E facing corries above 1000m. ICING: Colder today (Weds), water ice freezing from 600m. Dripping in the sun though. COMMENT: Fine day to be on the tops today. Hazard of ice and rock fall in areas exposed to the sun. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12/3/03 Colder and dry conditions have affected the area with very light NE winds. The snowpack has consolidated above 700m and is generally well bonded on most aspects. Some verglas is present on rocks and paths. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13/3/03 Cold and dry conditions will continue to affect the area with light to moderate SE winds. The snowpack will remain generally well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION:Snow above 750m. ICING: Freezing level 0m. COMMENT: Looks like being a fine day again. Good snow-ice on most slopes above 800m. where crampons are required. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12/3/03 Snow fell last night on gale force N winds leaving a dusting of snow as low as 600 metres on SE to SW aspects. In a sheltered burn on Beinn a'Bhuird new deposits in excess of 150 cm have accumulated. Generally these deposits are of moderately bonded firm windslab but graupel layers are common and in the most sheltered locations softer moderately to weakly bonded windslab exists. A few localised areas of moderately bonded snow exist on N to E aspects above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13/3/03 High pressure will remain over the area. Localised areas of moderately bonded snow will be found on N to E aspects above 950 metres and on SE to SW aspects. In the most sheltered locations on SE to SW aspects moderately to weakly bonded windslab may be present. Immediately under a cornice or in a steep gully exit are examples of likely locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mostly above 950 metres. ICING: On the higher crags only. Buttresses lean. COMMENT: Potential for a good day tomorrow. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12/3/03 Last night it snowed fairly constantly for a short time on a severe gale force North-Westerly wind. After this the skies cleared with a freeze at all levels. Isolated pockets of windslab have formed in the most sheltered of hollows on East through South to South-West aspects above 800 metres. These deposits are already consolidating in the strong sun with the remainder of the snowpack still soft at lower altitudes but generally well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13/3/03 It will freeze overnight and remain dry and calm. This will further enhance the stability of the snowpack and although it will remain soft at lower levels, will be well bonded and stable on all aspects. Air temperature during the day will rise in the strong sunshine, which could cause any fragile cornices affected by direct sunlight to collapse. There are large cornices above the approaches to the Window and above many other steep North to East aspects. Due to the hazard of cornice collapse the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good depth in North-West through East to South-East facing gullies above 800 metres. ICING: Still there on the Post Face and no doubt the Inner Coire but running with water, rotten in places and collapsing at lower levels. COMMENT: Don't forget your shades and enjoy the stable snow but watch out for cornice collapse! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------