NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15/3/03 Under clear skies the temperature at the summit of Cairn Gorm reached 2 degrees with light to moderate strength Southerly winds. The snowpack where sampled at 1100 metres on an East aspect was stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16/3/03 There will be little change in the weather or snowpack. Temperatures on the plateau will go just above freezing. The surface snow will soften on South aspects up to the highest elevation. On North aspect the surface will be firm above 900 metres, except for the pockets of unconsolidated snow that will be remain cold and dry. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some pleasant softening of surface layer on South aspect. ICING: North aspects still intact. COMMENT: Inversion conditions are forecast with consideration that the top of the route (with loose rocks and weak ice) may be warmer than the bottom. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15/3/03 Localised surface instabilities are present on steep slopes exposed to solar radiation. On steep slope aspects in the shade, localised dry surface slab is present. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16/3/03 The settled conditions will continue through out the forecast period with little change in the current snow conditions. Localised surface instabilities will be present on steep slopes exposed to solar radiation. On steep slope aspects in the shade, localised dry surface slab will be present. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations in high N and E facing corries. ICING: Remaining cold with an inversion layer over the summits. COMMENT: Some good ice still around. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15/3/03 Dry and settled conditions with overnight frost at all levels have continued to affect the area. 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. Rising daytime temperatures today and solar radiation have softened slopes exposed to the sun forming shallow surface instabilities on the steepest slopes. Remaining cornices are also weakening with rising temperatures. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16/3/03 High pressure will dominate the weather maintaining the dry settled spell for the outlook period. Cooler conditions overnight will re-freeze the snow cover on the higher slopes with a gradual daytime softening occurring as the freezing level rises to 1500 metres during the course of Sunday. 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). Any remaining cornices will be prone to collapse with rising daytime temperatures. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION:Snow above 750m. ICING: Overnight freezing level 1200m but could rise to 1500m during Sunday. COMMENT: Another fine day forecast. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15/3/03 It has been another good day with occasional thin cloud around the summits. The snow cover is patchy and mainly restricted to above 1000 metres where some reasonably extensive areas can be found. The snow is generally well bonded with some surface instability encountered on S aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16/3/03 High pressure will continue with a wind shift to the SW. There will be little change to the current situation with the snowpack remaining well bonded on all aspects. On sun warmed slopes progressive softening of the snow will occur with surface instability encountered on steeper ground. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some reasonably extensive areas above 1000 metres and in high N to E facing corries. ICING: Best in high N to E facing corries. There is nothing lower down. COMMENT: A whole weekend of great weather! CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15/3/03 It has remained dry with a moderate Southerly 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 with Northerly aspects remaining firm and Southerly aspects softening in strong sunshine. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Large cornices affected by strong sun still remain suspect. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16/3/03 It will remain dry throughout the forecast period with moderate South-West 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. Careful route choices advised. COMMENT: Don't forget your suncream and shades: it's going to be another cracker! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------