NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/1/04 There have been snow showers on a strong Westerly wind. This has led to deep accumulations of slab on Easterly aspects above 850 metres. Poor visibility obstructed observations but field tests showed easy shears in surface layers of soft and hard slab. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/1/04 Cold conditions will continue with snow showers overnight and during the day on strong West-South-West becoming North- West winds. The snow-pack stability will remain poor with further slab build-up over old accumulations on North-West through East to South aspects above 850 metres. Avalanches will occur in these areas. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION:Deep drifts developing above 700 metres. ICING: Improving in the cold conditions. COMMENT: Wintry conditions continuing. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/1/04 Heavy snow showers and strong SW winds have deposited further areas of unstable windslab on sheltered aspects. Greatest accumulations are on sheltered North, North-East, East and South-East aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices are present. Avalanche activity noted on NE aspects above 1000m, Carn Mor Dearg. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/1/04 Snow and strong SW winds will continue to load sheltered areas with unstable windslab. Greatest accumulations will be on North, North-East, East and South-East aspects above 900 metres. Avalanches will occur, particularly on scarp slopes, crag aprons and the tops of gullies. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover above 400m. General cover above 600m. ICING: Remaining cold. Ice build up is still thin but improving. COMMENT: Winds will ease during Tuesday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/1/04 Stormy conditions have continued with substantial amounts of new snow above 800 metres. Deep accumulations of windslab have formed in many sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North-West through North to Easterly aspect mainly above 850 metres. Much of this windslab is lying on a layer of hail and is very unstable. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Avalanche debris noted below Summit Gully AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/1/04 The gale force South-Westerly airflow will continue overnight. New snow and wind transport of existing snow will significantly add to already weakly bonded accumulations of windslab in all sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North through East to South-East aspect mainly above 800 metres. Weak cornices will also form above these locations. Avalanches will occur where deep accumulations of windslab have formed. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500 metres with deep drifting above 850 metres. ICING: Ice forming on rocks above 850 metres. COMMENT: Climbing conditions improving on the higher ridges and buttresses but deep drifting in many locations. Windslab and cornices require great caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/1/04 Further snow showers and drifting have continued to build unstable deposits in very sheltered locations on N to E aspects above 800 metres. On steeper terrain the multi-layered recent deposits are moderately to weakly bonded both within themselves and to snow ice base layers. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Exposed slopes remain wind blown. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/1/04 Snow fall overnight will be followed by isolated showers on Tuesday. Strong winds will add deposits to the already unstable accumulations that exist on N to E aspects above 800 metres. Greatest hazard will be on scarp slopes and other in steep sheltered locations where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin snow from 600 m. ICING: Still limited. COMMENT: Some ski touring possible. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/1/04 Prolonged snow showers on fresh South-West to West winds have resulted in accumulations of soft slab high on North-East and East facing slopes above 800 metres, where avalanche activity was observed. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/1/04 Further snow on moderating South-West then Westerly winds is forecasted for Tuesday. The hazard of avalanche will remain High (Category 4) on mainly North-East and East facing slopes above 800 metres, where avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 400m. ICING: Crags plastered with fresh snow, any significant icing yet to develop. COMMENT: Drifting snow expected on approaches. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------