NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/3/03 The blocking High pressure weather sysytem has prevailed over the usual rapidly changing March weather leading to mostly clear skies and light Southerly winds. Very isolated pockets of soft slab can be found on North aspects between 900 and 1100 metres. On South aspect there is minor instability due to sun warming. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/3/03 Another dry and mostly clear day is forecast. There will be little change in snow stability which will remain good. There will be very isolated pockets of soft surface snow that is nearly slab consistency on North aspect between 900-1100 metres. Direct sun warming will contribute to some surface instability on South aspect above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Possible to ski to Ben Macdui from top of Goat Track. ICING: Turf frozen above 900 metres on North aspect; very little new ice growth noted. COMMENT: The North aspect soft slab zones are easily seen and avoidable. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/3/03 Localised areas of dry, moderately well bonded slab are present on steep shady aspects, mainly N and NE above 1100m. On steep slopes exposed to solar radiation, surface instabilities are present. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere snowpack stability is generally good. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/3/03 Cold and settled weather will continue through out the forecast period. Little change is expected to the existing snowpack. Localised areas of dry, moderately well bonded slab will be present on steep shady aspects, mainly N and NE above 1100m. On steep slopes exposed to solar radiation, surface instabilities will be present. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere snowpack stability will be generally good. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations in high N and E facing corries. ICING: Remaining cold with an inversion layer over the summits. COMMENT: Noticeably more slab deposits on Aonach Mor compared to the Ben. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/3/03 Cold and dry conditions have continued to affect the area accompanied by light South-Easterly winds. The snowpack is consolidated above 700m and is generally well bonded and stable on most slope aspects. Some verglas is present on rocks and paths. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/3/03 Dry but warmer conditions will affect the area with moderate Southerly winds. The warmer weather is due an inversion ranging from 700m to 1500m. This will affect the snowpack leading to wet soft snow on most aspects above 700m. The snowpack will however remain generally well bonded and stable on all but the steepest slopes where small wet sluffs are possible. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION:Snow above 750m. ICING: Overnight freezing level 400m but could rise to 1500m during Saturday. COMMENT: Looks like being another fine day again but with an increase in wind speed. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/3/03 The overnight cloud finally cleared to blue sky and sunshine around mid-day. The previously layered deposits are of uniform density and it was not possible to produce any failure of the snowpack at the test sites. Solar warming has been restricted by the cloud but some softening of cornices will occur by the end of the day. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/3/03 High pressure will continue but with strong SSE winds and an inversion has been forecast from around 600 to 1000 metres. The snowpack will remain well bonded on all aspects. If the summits are cloud free then softening of the S facing slopes and cornices will occur with surface instability encountered on steeper ground. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mostly above 1000 metres and in N to E facing corries. ICING: High N to E facing corries are still holding snow. COMMENT: Potential for an inversion tomorrow. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/3/03 It has remained dry with a light East-South-East wind. Thaw-freeze cycle has continued with cold overnight temperatures and strong sunlight during the day continuing to improve snowpack stability. The snowpack is generally well bonded and stable on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Large cornices affected by strong sun still remain suspect. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/3/03 It will remain dry throughout the forecast period with strong South-South-East wind. The snowpack will remain generally well bonded and stable on all aspects and the avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). Surface layers will soften in mild air throughout the day, particularly Southerly aspects. Large cornices affected by strong sun will also remain suspect and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best above 750 metres in East and North facing corries. ICING: Hanging on but rotten and running with water in places. I would take advantage of good moonlight and start early!!. COMMENT: Even though the avalanche hazard is low, cornices can still fall from the lofty heights above! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------