LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 14/1/04 Large areas of unstable windslab are present, greatest accumulations being on steep North, Northeast, East and Southeast aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche activity noted on Northeast and East aspects at 1180 metres on Aonach Mor. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 15/1/04 Snow showers and SW winds will continue with the freezing level remaining around 500m. Large areas of unstable windslab will be present, greatest accumulations being on steep North, Northeast, East and Southeast aspects. Avalanches are likely in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good general cover 550m. ICING: Remaining cold. COMMENT: Some deep snow higher up making walking interesting! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 14/1/04 Strong Westerly winds and frequent heavy snow showers have led to a rapid build up of fresh unstable soft slab, on North through East to South-East aspects above 600 metres. Field tests showed very easy shearing of fresh deposits and small soft slab avalanches were triggered on an East aspect at 600 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 15/1/04 Further snow showers on moderate South-West winds. Unstable, weakly bonded soft windslab will continue to develop on North through East to South-East aspects above 750 metres and avalanches will occur in these areas. Particularly affected will be steepest slopes, gully exits and scarp slopes below cornices. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels, good cover above 400 metres. ICING: Mostly buried and generally poor. COMMENT: Large unstable cornices building above steep sheltered locations, particularly Easterly aspects. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 14/1/04 A few snow showers and widespread drifting have continued to add deposits on N through E to SE aspects above 800 metres in sheltered locations. Generally, stability is improving but in deeper deposits on steeper slopes layers remain moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cornices continue to develop. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 15/1/04 Snow showers will add some further deposits to the snowpack. On N through E to SE aspects above 800 metres deeper deposits will continue to be moderately to weakly bonded. These deposits will mainly be found in steep sheltered locations and gully exits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). New cornice development will be unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin snow from 600 m. ICING: Staying cool, so watercourses may offer best possibilities. COMMENT: Ski touring is reasonable above 850 m. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 14/1/04 There have been further snow showers on moderate Westerly winds with temperatures remaining cool. This has resulted in further development of a hard slab on Easterly aspects. In places this hard slab has a soft layer at the surface. This slab sheared cleanly, but not easily, at the test site. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 15/1/04 Snow showers will continue with moderate South-West winds. The slab described will continue to be only moderately well bonded on Easterly aspects above 900 metres. The soft surface layer will become buried and on steep, well-covered approaches and exits from climbs there will be fair stability. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover on Easterly aspects. ICING: Some good snow-ice and nice ice available. COMMENT: Excellent skiing on some slopes, both off and on piste. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 14/1/04 Deep accumulations of soft unconsolidated snow are lying on slopes of many aspects. Frequent snow showers overnight and today have formed deposits of windslab in many sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North to South-Easterly aspect mainly above 850 metres. On steeper slopes these accumulations of windslab are very unstable. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Avalanche debris noted below a North-Easterly aspect on Buachaille Etive Mor today. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 15/1/04 Strong South-Westerly winds and snow showers will affect the area overnight with winds decreasing on Thursday. New snow and wind transport will continue to add to already weakly bonded accumulations of windslab in all sheltered gullies and also on slopes with a North to Easterly 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 400 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------