NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 1/1/04 The last day of the year produced the largest snowfall of the season with large acccumulations on North and East aspects down to low elevations. The new slab sheared on a soft layer with moderate force required. There was light rain below 1050 metes. Gradual warming tended to contribute to slightly improved stability that remains fair and the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 2/1/04 Further snow with Northerly winds is forecast with loading of the new snow on various Southerly aspects above 900 metres. The recently loaded aspects will have fair to poor stability, specially due to the still unconsolidated base layer. Avalanches are likely on North, East and South aspects above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Finally filling in the North aspects somewhat; needs time to improve stability ICING: Good growth conditions right now. COMMENT: Gullies slowly building but far from complete. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 1/1/04 The heavy precipitation of the last 24 hours has been accompanied by a gradual rise in freezing level to around 1200m. Areas of unstable dry snow are generally confined to North-West through North to South-East aspects above 1150m, notably scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche activity observed on Aonach Mor at 1200m on NE to SE aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 2/1/04 Colder temperatures are expected with snow showers dying out by Friday morning. The snowpack below 1150m will re-freeze and become generally stable. Above 1150m, areas of unstable snow will be present, mainly on North-West through North to South-East aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will be unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow below around 1200m. ICING: Colder temperatures overnight and during Friday should help ice development. COMMENT: Happy New Year! GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 1/1/04 Snow showers and strong North Westerly winds above 900m have formed windslab in sheltered locations. Windslab does exist on slopes mainly with a North through to SouthEast 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 and the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) in these areas. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 2/1/04 Snow showers will continue to affect the area with strong NW winds overnight. The strong winds will become NE and eventually Southerly. Windslab will continue to form in all sheltered locations as a result of the variable winds. The greatest accumulations of windslab will be in sheltered 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 500 metres. ICING: Thawing ice on rocks and paths should start to re-freeze above 400m tonight. COMMENT: More pleasant conditions tomorrow. Caution is required in sheltered areas where deep windslab has formed. "HAPPY NEW YEAR" SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 1/1/04 New deposits are to be found in sheltered locations on NW to NE aspects above 600 metres. Some consolidation has taken place but layers remain moderately to weakly bonded particularly on steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere widespread wind erosion of deposits has taken place. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 2/1/04 A return to cooler conditions will help improve the stability of recent deposits. Moderately bonded layers will be found in deeper deposits in steeper sheltered locations on NW to NE aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fairly wind blown with improved cover on N aspects. ICING: Thawing up to 900 metres today. COMMENT: Routes on North facing crags are now holding quantities of fresh snow. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 1/1/04 Deep accumulations of moderately bonded wet slab lie on steep North through East to South-facing aspects above 850 metres. Stability is poor in these locations and the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). All recently formed cornices are suspect and prone to collapse. Wet rollerballs were noted below 750 metres on slopes of most aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 2/1/04 Progressively drier and colder conditions with lighter North- West then North-East winds will bring some new localised accumulations of windslab on East through South-East to South-West aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) where new slab build up is greatest in these places. The snowpack in all other locations is expected to show some marginal consolidation. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow now wet and depleting in milder temperatures on Friday. ICING: Still horribly buried after recent heavy snowfall. COMMENT: A few hardy types noted enduring the Coire Ardair hangover 'cure'! No problem re-hydrating today. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------