NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 25/1/04 Further snow showers and North-Westerly winds have contributed to the greatest accumulations being on Easterly and South-East aspects with up to 10 centimetres of new snow in a few locations. Where tested this showed no shear characterisitcs on the old snow-ice surface. Stability is good. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 26/1/04 Snow showers will be followed by somewhat heavier snow later in the day (Monday). Winds will shift to the North-East with temperatures below freezing at all elevations. The heavier snow forecast will produce some slab instability on South-West aspects above 900 metres. In some terrain features the Easterly and South-East aspects will also have a minor slab instability. Where the new slab lies on larger areas of old snow-ice the snowpack will be moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Plateau snow is very firm with large ice patches. ICING: Greatest extent of new ice appears to be on the plateau. COMMENT: Winter slowly re-appearing. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 25/1/04 Fresh areas of soft unstable windslab are present. Greatest accumulations are on scarp slopes and crag aprons with a North- East, East and South-East aspect above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche activity noted on East aspects between 1100m and 1200m on Aonach Mor. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 26/1/04 Snow showers are expected to continue with a strengthening NE airflow. Localised areas of unstable snow will be present on many aspects. Greatest accumulations will be on scarp slopes and crag aprons with a North-East, East and South-East aspect above 1000m. During Monday, sheltered South, South-West and West aspects will become increasingly affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 650m. ICING: Old snow is now becoming well frozen. COMMENT: Ice-axe and crampons essential. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 25/1/04 Colder conditions have stabilised much of the older snow forming a widespread icy surface above 800 metres on windward slopes. New snow and strong Westerly winds have formed unstable accumulations of windslab in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North-East to South-Easterly aspect mainly above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche debris noted on a North-Easterly aspect from 950 metres in Coire Gabhail. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 26/1/04 Snow showers will continue overnight and through Monday. Strengthening North-Easterly winds will re-distribute existing snow and new snow forming unstable accumulations of windslab in all sheltered gullies and on slopes with a South through West to North-Westerly aspect mainly above 800 metres. Where deeper windslab forms or where old snow-ice underlies windslab accumulations, bonding will be poor. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 500 metres ICING: Ice re-forming above 700 metres. COMMENT: Windslab and fresh cornices will require caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 25/1/04 There has been little change to the remaining snow. Above 900 metres N to E facing slopes are holding most snow but this is still limited. All remaining snow is well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 26/1/04 There will be increasingly frequent snow showers down to valley level. New accumulations will be found mainly on SW aspects above 900 metres but elsewhere other new unstable developments will be found in sheltered locations. Where any new deposits have reasonable depth and develop over older snow ice they will be moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very firm patches above 900 metres with high N to E facing corries holding most snow. ICING: No significant ice, but turf is slowly improving. COMMENT: Blizzards likely at times. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 25/1/04 Light occasional snow showers fell on moderate winds from the West. Deep areas of fresh moderately to weakly bonded windslab exist on North through East to South-East aspects above 750 metres. Depths vary with gullies and hollows holding deepest deposits. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 26/1/04 There will be heavy snow showers on strong North-East winds throughout the period. Significant drifting and re-distribution will quickly form deep, unstable deposits of fresh windslab on South-East through South to North-West aspects above 750 metres where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Fresh unstable cornices will also form on the above aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow down to 650 metres. ICING: Thin and generally poor. Running water in evidence on Post Face. COMMENT: Winter is about to return with a vengeance! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------