NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 13/1/04 The decreasing Westerly winds carried light snow showers overnight and during the day, and summit temperatures remained well below zero. There has been further build-up on Easterly aspects above 950 metres. Where tested these deposits showed clean shears. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 14/1/04 The moderate Westerly airstream will continue with light snow showers overnight and during the day. This will deposit fresh accumulations of soft slab on existing harder slab on Easterly aspects. On steeper ground and crag aprons, particularly on North and East aspects above 950 metres these deposits will show some instability. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Pleasant skiing on and off piste. ICING: The Northern Corries seemed to be offering some sport today. COMMENT: Cornices starting to form on Easterly aspects such as No. 4 Buttress, Coire an Lochain. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 13/1/04 Snow showers overnight have continued to form fresh areas of poorly bonded windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are on North through East to South-East aspects above 900m, particularly steep slopes and crag aprons. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche activity noted on steep North-East aspects, Summit gully, Aonach Mor. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 14/1/04 A showery Westerly airflow overnight and during Wednesday will continue to add to existing areas of unstable soft windslab. Greatest accumulations will be on North through East to South-East aspects above 900m. Avalanches will occur, particularly on steep slopes, crag aprons, and the tops of gullies. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Unstable cornices will continue to form. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good general cover above 600m. ICING: Remaining Cold. Ice build up is improving slowly. COMMENT: Some good off-piste skiing to be had today (13/1/04). GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 13/1/04 Above 800 metres there are deep accumulations of soft unconsolidated snow on slopes of many aspects. Recent strong winds have formed deposits of windslab in many sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North through to South-Easterly aspect mainly above 850 metres. Much of this windslab is lying on a layer of hail and is potentially very unstable. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Surface sluffing noted on North and East aspects above 900 metres. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 14/1/04 Strong Westerly winds and snow showers will affect the area overnight and through Wednesday. New snow quantities are not expected to be great but wind transport of existing snow will continue to add to already weakly bonded accumulations of windslab in all sheltered gullies and also on slopes with a North through East to South aspect mainly above 800 metres. Weak cornices will continue to form above these locations. Avalanches will occur where deep accumulations of windslab exist. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500 metres with deep drifting on many aspects above 850 metres. ICING: Ice forming on rocks above 850 metres. COMMENT: Many of the higher ridges and buttresses plastered with soft recent snow. Windslab and cornices will require great caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 13/1/04 New snow is limited and open slope deposits are showing signs of consolidation. The dry light snow is available for redistribution and drifted deposits are accumulating at the top of scarp slopes and gully exits on N through E to SE aspects above 800 metres. These accumulations are moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere cover is thin and wind blown. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 14/1/04 Isolated snow showers on strong W winds will continue to build unstable deposits on N through E to SE aspects above 800 metres. Greatest hazard is likely to be found in steeper sheltered locations such as gully exits and scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). New cornice development will be unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin snow from 600 m. ICING: Watercourses have best potential. COMMENT: Lochnagar is slowly recovering from the thaw last week but there are no easy ticks at the moment! CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 13/1/04 Strong SW winds following recent snowfall have resulted in accumulations of hard windslab. Field tests showed some consolidation of these deposits. In steepest locations particularly on East facing slopes above 850 metres and on cornice scarps, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 14/1/04 Some heavy snow showers accompanied by moderate Westerly winds will maintain the current avalanche hazard on East facing slopes and gully tops above 850 metres, particularly where cornice build up exists. Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General covering above 400m. ICING: Most crags remain plastered from recent snowfall COMMENT: Wet snow at lower elevations still making approach walks a challenge! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------