NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 7/1/04 Winds, mainly from the South and South-West, exceeded 100 mph. There were light snowfall amounts that have become moist on the surface with some buildup on North and North-East aspects. Above 1000 metres there is still a buried dry layer of snow. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1) with weak cornices. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 8/1/04 Further rain is forecast with strong winds from the South and South-South-West. The snowpack below 900 metres, where less than one metre deep, has been rain soaked throughout. At higher elevations, where snow depth is greater than one metre, there will be still be some dry snow in the pack. Stability in the deeper pack areas will be good with some glide cracks appearing in areas with more extensive cover. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Surprisingly large patches survive on the plateau. ICING: The most ice in Scotland for climbing may be at Kinlochleven. COMMENT: Not the seasonal best, or worst. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 7/1/04 The snowpack is consolidating and thawing at all levels. Snowpack stability is generally good. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 8/1/04 The mild conditions will prevail with rain at all levels. The snowpack will continue to thaw. Snowpack stability will remain generally good. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels. ICING: Remaining warm. COMMENT: Remember your waterproofs! GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 7/1/04 Mild conditions with light rain at all levels are making the snowpack soft and moist in most locations. Some deeper accumulations of moderately bonded wet snow exist in sheltered areas of North and East facing corries and gullies above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 8/1/04 Heavy rain at all levels overnight and on Thursday will reduce and saturate the snowpack. Deep areas of unstable wet slab will form in sheltered summit gullies and on slopes with a North- West through North to Easterly aspect above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) particularly during initial period of heavy rain. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 850 metres. ICING: Highest levels only and thawing fast. COMMENT: Poor outlook, mild with heavy rain. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 7/1/04 After a cooler night surface layers are progressively firmer from around 850 metres. The patchy remaining snow is generally well bonded and stable with greatest accumulations situated at the tops of high N and E facing corries. Very sheltered locations above 900 metres on NE to SE aspects have some recent wet deposits but these are limited in both depth and distribution. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 8/1/04 The freezing level will be above all summits with heavy rain throughout the period. The snow will once again become soft and wet but will remain generally well bonded on all aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). The remains of cornices may slump further in the heavy rain and falling rocks will be a hazard as the snow recedes on steeper ground. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Highly patchy. Best in high N to E facing corries. ICING: Unlikely that much will survive after tomorrow. COMMENT: Nothing positive to say about tomorrow! CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 7/1/04 A freeze/thaw cycle has stabilised the snowpack in all locations and the avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Cornice debris was noted at the bottom of some North-East-facing gullies in Coire Ardair. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 8/1/04 Mild, wet conditions are forecast, although some sleet or snow on South or South-West winds is possible later on Thursday. The avalanche hazard will rise to Moderate (Category 2) wherever new windslab deposits are deepest at the tops of all North to East-facing aspects above 1000 metres. The snowpack at lower elevations will continue to thaw but show reasonable stability. Any remaining cornices should be treated with caution. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Largest patches on N to E aspects above 750m and very bare lower down. ICING: Generally poor. Falling ice a consideration in the sustained wet and thawing conditions. COMMENT: Principal gully lines thin or broken, or both. The outlook is for more mild weather. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------