NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 2/1/04 Moderate snow amounts forecast fell as light rain up to 1150 metres which in the subsequent cooling left a rain crust. This was followed by snow showers that fell on the rain crust in light winds and is adding to the cover on all aspects. The deeper snowpack is stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 3/1/04 Moderate snow is forecast with light South-West then Westerly winds. New slab will develop particularly on North-East, East and Northerly aspects of the corries above 1000 metres. This slab will bond poorly to the recent snow and rain crust surface. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: All gullies now complete with snow cover and tested with high additional loading. ICING: Growing all over; exposed in places, mostly buried but complete in a few locations that no one will say where. COMMENT: Deeper snowpack stability generally good, highly variable distribution of surface condition by aspect and elevation. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 2/1/04 Colder temperatures have stabilised the existing snowpack below 1100m. Above this altitude, areas of unstable snow are present mainly on scarp slopes and gullies. Many aspects are affected, with the greatest accumulations on North to South-East facing slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 3/1/04 Fresh snow and moderate SW winds are expected. Areas of unstable snow will be present with greatest accumulations on North to South-East aspects. Scarp slopes and gullies will be particularly affected, where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover above 700m. ICING: Water ice forming on paths above 400m. COMMENT: Climbing conditions slowly improving. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 2/1/04 A melt freeze cycle has left the snowpack stable in most places. Some isolated areas of soft slab exist in some North facing gullies above 950m. Where deeper accumulations of windslab exist bonding is moderate to weak, particularly on steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 3/1/04 Snow showers and fresh South-West to Westerly winds will bring new snow to the area overnight becoming less on Saturday. Windslab will form on top of an icy snowpack on North to East facing aspects above 800m. The greatest accumulations of windslab will be in sheltered gullies, hollows and around the tops of corrie headwalls mainly above 800 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: Ice on rocks and paths at most levels. COMMENT: Much improved climbing conditions today. The arrival of new snow tomorrow will need to be treated will caution. Ridges and buttresses are the safer option. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 2/1/04 A drop in the freezing level has helped improve stability of the snowpack which has become crusty. Moderately bonded layers are still to be found in deeper deposits on steeper slopes on NW to NE aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 3/1/04 After overnight snowfall there will be little new snow during the day. Increasing winds from the NW will lead to drifting on E to S aspects above 900 metres. Greatest hazard will be found in steeper sheltered locations, gully exits and scarp slopes where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some snow on most aspects, breakable crust on trails. ICING: Ice on Lochnagar cliffs slowly developing. COMMENT: A few routes being done on Lochnagar today. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 2/1/04 A thaw-freeze cycle has left the snowpack generally well bonded on most aspects. Light overnight snowfall associated with drifting on a light North-West wind has begun to form very isolated and shallow deposits of weakly bonded windslab on some steep lee slopes and at the tops of gullies of an East to South aspect above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 3/1/04 Moderate snowfall easing through the day with associated drifting on strong Westerly winds will form deep accumulations of windslab on North-West through East to South aspects above 750 metres. Steep lee slopes below cornices, sheltered hollows and gullies will be particularly affected. Fresh deposits will bond weakly to existing hard surface crust and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 400 metres. ICING: Paths at lower levels hold more ice than the cliffs of Coire Ardair. COMMENT: Fresh unstable cornices will once again build above many steep aspects. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------