NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/1/04 New snow of five to ten centimetres has fallen in light winds. There are small pockets of unstable slab on various aspects above 950 metres. Due to the light winds the surface hoar observed on the 15 January is buried on some North and North-East aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/1/04 Very light snow and light winds from the North and North-East are forecast. The distribution of the small pockets of unstable slab above 950 metres will continue to be highly variable by aspect. Steep, unsupported terrain will be most suspect. Cornice development on East and South-East aspects noted. The avalanche hazard will Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The 'totality' of snow cover is truly improving, thin areas still exist. ICING: More ice still required. COMMENT: LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/1/04 The cold settled conditions are startin gradually to consolidate the snowpack. Large areas of unstable windslab are however still present on many aspects. Greatest accumulations are on steep North, North-East, East and South-East aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/1/04 Dry, cold and settled conditions will continue the gradual consolidation of the existing snowpack. Large areas of unstable snow will still be present, greatest accumulations being on steep North, North-East, East and South-East aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good general cover above 550m. ICING: Icing still quite thin on the Ben. COMMENT: It is better to get somebody else to break trail if you have a choice! GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/1/04 Calm and cold conditions gave sunshine for most of the day. Several cornice-triggered avalanches occurred on North to East facing slopes at a variety of altitudes ranging from 700 metres upwards. Deep accumulations of soft unconsolidated snow are to be found on slopes and gullies of many aspects. Deposits of windslab exist in all sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North-West through North to South-Easterly aspect mainly above 900 metres. Where this windslab lies on steeper slopes stability is poor. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/1/04 Cold, dry and settled conditions will persist overnight and through Saturday. Deposits of windslab will remain unstable in all sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North-West through North to Easterly aspect mainly above 900 metres. Avalanches and cornice collapse are likely particularly as temperatures rise in areas affected by sun warming. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). 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. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/1/04 With the change in winds and some snowfall there were light new deposits on SW aspects. Greatest accumulations are still on N through E to SE aspects above 800 metres. Although stability of windslab has improved, moderately to weakly bonded layers still exist on steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/1/04 With no significant winds or precipitation forecast, the current snow conditions will not alter much. On N through E to SE aspects above 800 metres, moderately to weakly bonded areas will still be found in deeper deposits on steep slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Enough cover above 850 metres to ski tour. ICING: Not particularly good on crags. COMMENT: Buttresses are dry with a light covering of snow. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/1/04 Slow consolidation of recent soft slab accumulations has continued leaving moderately bonded slab on most aspects. Deepest deposits are on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. In colder summit temperatures some sub-surface instabilities remain and field tests produced an easy shear on a North-East aspect at 990 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/1/04 Winds will remain moderate and from the North. There will be little change to present conditions. Deep moderately bonded windslab will persist on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Large cornices are present above North through East to South-East and will remain suspect. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 650 metres. Ski touring good after a little walk! ICING: Generally poor and buried. COMMENT: Remember triggering is still possible even with low additional loads, particularly on steeper aspects. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------