NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/12/03 Very strong Southerly winds have contributed to a significant change in the degree and location of snowpack instability. Settlement cracks were observed on a North aspect at low elevation. This is due to a very soft layer underlying the surface slab. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 1/1/04 Heavy snow is forecast with continued strong Southerly winds. Snowpack stability where the slab lies on the very soft basal layer will be poor. This area of instability will be mainly on North aspects above 950 metres where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: South aspects scoured, North aspects well loaded. ICING: Definitely on a growth spurt. COMMENT: Happy New Year! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/12/03 Strong Southerly winds have started to re-distribute snow on to North-West, North and North-East aspects. Fresh snow later this afternoon has also started to build unstable snow on these aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 1/1/04 Heavy snow and strong Southerly winds overnight will be replaced by lighter West to North-West winds during Thursday. Large areas of unstable windslab will form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on North-West, North and North-East aspects, where avalanches will occur. During Thursday, some re-distribution will occur on to East and South-East aspects. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover remains above 600m. ICING: Freezing level rising to around 900m. COMMENT: Lots of unstable snow expected in the main gullies on Ben Nevis, including the Red Burn. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/12/03 Gale force Southerly winds have scoured windward slopes and re-distributed snow on to sheltered Northerly aspects. Above 900 metres areas of windslab exist on slopes mainly with a North-West through to North-East aspect but also in other 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 THU 1/1/04 Heavy snow showers will affect the area with strong Southerly winds overnight. The strong winds will veer to become North-Westerly. Windslab will continue to form in all sheltered locations. The 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 850 metres. Snow pack stability in areas where deep windslab exists on steeper slopes will be poor and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 300 metres. ICING: Ice on rocks and paths at most levels. COMMENT: Becoming a little milder. Caution is required in sheltered areas where deep windslab has formed. " HAPPY NEW YEAR" SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/12/03 Strong winds are re-distributing recent deposits into sheltered locations on NW to NE aspects. Generally deposits are forming over the ground but where old snow is present new accumulations are moderately bonded. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 1/1/04 Heavy overnight snow will ease to snow showers above 800 metres during the day. Unstable deposits will continue to form mainly on NW to NE aspects. The greatest hazard is likely to be found in steeper sheltered locations and avalanches are likely where new deposits form over existing snow. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Re-distributing from South to North aspects at present. ICING: Limited icing present with buttresses fairly dry. COMMENT: Rapidly forming cornices will also present a hazard. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/12/03 Strengthening South-East to Southerly winds have re-deposited old snow as windslab on steep West through North to North- East aspects above 900 metres. Late, heavy snow showers are adding to the poor stability in these locations. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 1/1/04 Further heavy snow on strong South becoming West to North- West winds will maintain the build up of poorly stabilised windslab on all North through East to South-facing slopes and gullies above 850 metres. Avalanches are likely in all these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). All newly formed cornices will be fragile and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable cover down to 200m with deep drifts in many places on Weds. ICING: If there's any there it will now be buried! COMMENT: Some very poor mountain conditions forecast. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------