NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 5/1/04 There has been rain at all levels on strong South-Westerly winds. On a Westerly aspect at 1080 metres the upper snow- pack is rain soaked with cold dry snow beneath. The stability is good. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 6/1/04 Light rain overnight will gradually turn to snow above 1100 metres during the day. This will create small deposits of new soft slab on East and North-Easterly aspects above 1100 metres. Below this level the remaining snow-pack will be stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Large skiable patches; also large areas of granite. ICING: Buttresses turning black in mild conditions. COMMENT: Mild conditions forecast to continue. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 5/1/04 Thaw conditions have left the snowpack wet at all levels. Surface wet snow instabilities are present on steep slopes and gullies with a North through East to South-East aspect. Elsewhere the snowpack is generally stable and thawing. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Cornices are wet and prone to collapse. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 6/1/04 Cooler conditions will gradually replace the thaw during Tuesday. Snow showers and South-West to West winds will start to form fresh areas of windslab. Accumulations will be shallow and generally restricted to the tops of gullies and steep slopes with North-East to South-East aspects above 1300m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack will be wet and generally stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Becoming patchy, best cover in high N and E facing corries. ICING: Thawing to above the summits today (5/1/04) COMMENT: Cooler conditions should slow the thaw, but at the highest levels only. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 5/1/04 Rain has affected the area with the freezing level well above the summits. The rain has thoroughly saturated the snowpack and wet snow instabilities exist on all steep slopes mainly above 800m. The bonding between surface layers is poor and cornices are prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 6/1/04 Rain will continue overnight with the freezing level well above the summits. Some light wintry showers will occur above 1100m with strong South-West to Westerly winds on Tuesday. These new accumulations are not expected to be significant. On most slopes above 800m wet snow instabilities will still exist and the bonding between surface layers will be poor. Cornices will also be prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 600 metres this will continue to rise in the thaw conditions. ICING: Ice on rocks and paths will thaw at all levels. COMMENT: Very wet climbing conditions. Hazard of falling ice. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 5/1/04 Thaw conditions continue with snow loss evident at all levels. Generally the remaining snow has become stable with moderately bonded drier snow being found in deeper deposits on steeper slopes. Remaining cornices continue to provide a hazard. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 6/1/04 After a warm night the freezing level will lower to 1300 metres. The remaining snow will be wet but generally stable. There will be light snow showers over the highest summits only. New deposits will not achieve significant depth and the avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow loss evident at all levels. ICING: Continues to be subject to thaw conditions. COMMENT: Cover on high plateau areas remains reasonable. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 5/1/04 Mild temperatures and rain have moistened and consolidated the snowpack at all elevations and on all aspects. Some unstable cornices remain over North-East through East to South-facing slopes and gullies. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 6/1/04 Cooler temperatures will bring some additional stability to the snowpack in most locations. However, South-West then Westerly winds will blow in some snow showers during Tuesday that will give rise to accumulations of new slab at the top of North to East-facing slopes, exit ramps and gullies above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The white stuff is patchier and wet and tiring to walk through above 600 metres. ICING: Little immediate improvement likely. COMMENT: Very mild indeed on Monday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------