NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 29/12/03 Moderating Northerly winds led to a calm, clear day in the Northern Corries. Slab build-up on Northerly aspects is limited and where tested on an Easterly aspect at 950 metres, the slab showed fair stability, However where old snow-ice underlies on steep South-East and South aspects above 1000 metres, pockets of less stable snow are present. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 30/12/03 Isolated snow showers on moderating North-West winds veering South-East will bring little change to the snowpack in the continuing cold conditions. The pockets of instability on South-East and South aspects above 1000 metres will remain. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover from valley level with deep drifts. ICING: Very limited, with small pitches starting to form. COMMENT: Main Sneachda gullies broken, with rock pitches showing. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 29/12/03 Calm and cold conditions are having little effect on the existing areas of unstable snow. The main areas of instability are on scarp slopes and crag aprons with a North-East through East to South aspect above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 30/12/03 The cold and settled weather will continue with a gradual consolidation of the snowpack. Areas of instability will be present, mainly on scarp slopes and crag aprons with a North- East through East to South aspect above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 400m. ICING: Freezing at all levels. COMMENT: Deep drifts on many approaches. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 29/12/03 Recent snow is lying above 300 metres. Above 900 metres areas of deep windslab exists on slopes mainly with a North- East to South-East aspect and in sheltered locations such as summit gullies. Where deeper accumulations of windslab exist bonding is moderate to weak, particularly on steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 30/12/03 Cold conditions will continue with light snow showers and fresh North-Westerly winds overnight becoming South-Easterly later. Windslab will continue to form in all sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations of windslab will be in sheltered summit gullies, hollows and around the tops of all slopes sheltered from the prevailing wind mainly above 900 metres. Stability in areas where deeper windslab exists on steeper slopes will be poor. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 300 metres. ICING: Re-forming on rocks and paths at most levels. COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses have a light cover of recent snow. Superb day on Monday. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 29/12/03 Drifting has formed localised deposits of unstable windslab in sheltered locations on E through S to SW aspects from valley level. Cold temperatures have delayed the consolidation process and the dry light deposits remain moderately to weakly bonded. Avalanche debris was noted on a SE aspect with a start zone at 750 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 30/12/03 Light overnight snow showers will add limited deposits to the windslab that will be found on E though S to SW aspects from valley level. In steeper sheltered locations deeper deposits will be moderately to weakly bonded. Features most likely to present the greatest hazard include scarp slopes, steep burns and gully exits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Improving cover with greater amounts on E and S aspects. ICING: Reforming but under powder on E and S aspects. COMMENT: Terrain features with multiple aspects will contain cross loaded deposits. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 29/12/03 Avalanche debris noted from cornice triggered soft slab instabilities high on South Easterly facing slopes of inner Coire Ardair above 900 metres. The avalanche category is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 30/12/03 Light snow showers overnight with temperatures remaining cold accompanied by light winds will not result in any significant change in current conditions. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A general covering of fresh snow above 200 metres with deep drifting in sheltered locations. ICING: Continuing to develop. COMMENT: Heavy going on all approaches. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------