NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/1/04 It was another unseasonally warm day with moderate Westerly winds. Further gradual attrition of the snowpack was noted. A profile on a South-East aspect at 1065 metres showed good stability in a wet two metre snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/1/04 Moderate rain is forecast further depleting the existing snowpack. There will be little change in snowpack stability which will remain good. Rockfall remains a hazard. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still marginal skiable zones on plateau. ICING: None. COMMENT: Caution advised around weakening snow bridges over larger water courses. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/1/04 The continuing rain and mild temperatures have further depleted the snowpack. Localised instabilities are still present, mainly on steep North and East aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Remains of any cornices are dripping with water. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/1/04 The present thaw is set to continue with more rain on the summits. Localised wet snow instabilities will be present, mainly on steep North and East aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels and disappearing fast. ICING: No ice left. COMMENT: Looking better for next week. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/1/04 Mild temperatures with light rain at all levels have maintained the snowpack in a soft and moist condition. Much of the snowpack at lower levels has now gone with the best cover remaining in the higher North and East facing corries and gullies. The general stability of the remaining snow cover is good in most areas, but isolated surface wet snow instabilities remain on the steepest slopes and gullies. Some of these areas, predominantly North and East facing slopes above 900 metres are threatened by potentially weak cornices. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/1/04 The mild conditions will continue with light to moderate rain. Surface wet snow instabilities may exist on the steepest slopes and large cornices will also remain prone to collapse threatening slopes below: these slopes will mainly be of North and Easterly aspects above 900 metres. Elsewhere the snowpack will be soft and wet but general stability will continue to improve. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 800 metres. ICING: Thawing all levels. COMMENT: Poor outlook. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/1/04 Surface layers have softened a little overnight but the patchy snow remains well bonded and stable. There is very little snow below 800 metres with more extensive patches above 900 metres. High N to E facing slopes are holding most snow with deeper deposits in more sheltered locations. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/1/04 There will be little change to the current situation with thaw conditions prevailing. A band of rain will soften surface layers and speed up the thaw rate but stability will remain good. The remains of cornices will continue to slump in the mild weather and there will be hazard of rock fall. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Limited to extensive patches above 900 metres with high N to E facing corries holding most snow. ICING: None observed. COMMENT: Rumours of snow by the end of the weekend! CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/1/04 Light rain has fallen on moderate Westerly winds. Wet snow instabilities persist where any significant accumulations exist on steep North through East to South-East aspects above 700 metres. Full depth avalanche activity was observed on steep Easterly aspects above 700 metres. Elsewhere the snowpack is soft and moist but generally well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/1/04 Thaw conditions will continue on strong South-West winds with moderate rain by morning. Wet snow instabilities will persist where surviving accumulations of snow are deepest on North through East to South-East aspects above 700 metres. Steep and convex terrain will remain suspect as rain continues. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). A residual hazard from falling cornice remnants and rock will also exist from steep ground. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover above 800 metres. ICING: Well on its way to the sea. COMMENT: Falling cornice remnants and rock remain a hazard in continued thaw. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------