LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 9/1/04 Fresh snow above 800m and strong Westerly winds have started to form areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are on Northeast, East and Southeast aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche activity noted on East aspects at 1200 metres on Aonach Mor. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 10/1/04 Snow showers will die out overnight, but further fresh snow is expected as Saturday progresses. Areas of unstable snow will be present, mainly on North, Northeast, East and Southeast aspects above 1000m. Avalanches will occur, notably during Saturday afternoon as further unstable snow forms on these aspects. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover of fresh snow above 800m. ICING: Ice starting to reform above 1000m. COMMENT: Hazard increasing during Saturday afternoon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 9/1/04 There has been a general dusting of snow above 800 metres. Westerly winds have created some thin patches of well- stabilised windslab in a few isolated locations on steep North- East to East aspects above 950 metres. What remains of the snowpack in all other places is moist, a little crusty and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 10/1/04 Snow stability will remain good in all locations until the arrival of snow showers during Saturday. This snow will be carried on South-West winds and will lead to the development of new, isolated areas of windslab on North to East-facing gully heads, exit ramps and scarp slopes above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will become Considerable (Category 3) wherever windslab deposits are greatest. The old snow on all other aspects will be re-frozen and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy with a thin, deceptive dusting above 800 metres on Friday. ICING: Much depleted in recent heavy thaw. COMMENT: The morning looks like being the best part of the day ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 9/1/04 At higher elevations some overnight snow has created localised moderately bonded deposits in steeper sheltered locations on mainly N though E to SE aspects above 1000 metres. Deposits are fairly limited in distribution and require a snow ice base to demonstrate any instability. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 10/1/04 Light overnight snow showers will give way to drier conditions before more continuous snow arrives around the middle of the day. This new snow will turn wet as the freezing level rises to 1100 metres during the afternoon. Moderately to weakly bonded deposits will build in sheltered locations on N to E aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A thin cover above 1000 metres. More depth in high N to E facing corries. ICING: None observed. COMMENT: Freezing levels are important tomorrow; check most recent weather forecast for up to date info. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 9/1/04 Heavy rain turned to snow above 800 metres with winds changing from South-West to West. The new snow has accumulated mainly on Easterly aspects on a moist base. This new slab has bonded well in the cooling conditions to the previously moist surface. The surface snow conditions are highly variable with wind crust, rain soaked surface now frozen and soft slab. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 10/1/04 Moderate snow amounts are forecast from late tomorrow morning with the prevailing wind from the South-West. Slab will continue to build on North and East aspects above 900 metres. This slab will have fair stability where it lies on more extensive areas of steep snow cover. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Skiable areas somewhat limited on and off piste. ICING: Some ice available, limited quantity and quality depends on your opinion. COMMENT: A bit of a return to winter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 9/1/04 Snow has fallen overnight and during the day above 700 metres on strong South-West winds. Substantial new accumulations have formed, particularly on North and East aspects above 850 metres. In main gullies and on some corrie rims and crag aprons, these lie on old re-frozen snow. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 10/1/04 Further snow is forcast overnight and during Saturday on rising mainly South-West winds. This will increase new snow loading on affected slopes, mainly North and East aspects above 800 metres, but also scarp slopes and gully heads on other aspects. Avalanches are likely in these areas, particularly as the temperature rises in the afternoon. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Substantial deposits above 800m, especially on North and East aspects. ICING: Little or none observed, but prospects must improve. COMMENT: Hazard rapidly increasing on Saturday afternoon. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------