SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 26/1/04 Isolated light snow showers have formed localised deposits in sheltered locations on mainly SW aspects although cross loaded snow was observed. These dry light deposits are fairly limited in depth at present but stability is marginal on steeper ground where they lie on snow ice. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 27/1/04 Snow showers will continue overnight and tomorrow with fresh deposits accumulating on mainly SE to SW aspects but cross loading will ensure that other sheltered locations will also hold unstable windslab. Greatest hazard is likely to be found above 900 metres where deeper deposits build over snow ice on steeper ground. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Newly formed cornices will be unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A thin general covering exists with very firm patches of older snow above 900 metres. ICING: No significant ice, but turf is mostly well frozen. COMMENT: Cover is slowly improving with tonight's snow showers looking the most promising yet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 26/1/04 Areas of weakly bonded windslab are present on many sheltered aspects. Strong North East winds are forming fresh areas of shallow windslab on South, South West and West aspects above 1000m. Areas of windslab also remain on sheltered North through East to South East aspects, particularly crag aprons and steep slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 27/1/04 The cold North to North East airflow will become North Westerly with snow showers on Tuesday. Areas of windslab will be present on sheltered East through South to West aspects above 1000m. Other aspects, particularly sheltered crag aprons and steep slopes will also be affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light fresh snow falling to sea level today (26/1/04) Best cover above 600m. ICING: Freezing at all levels, ice still scarce on most routes. COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses still look the best bet for routes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 26/1/04 Colder conditions have stabilised much of the older snow forming a widespread icy surface above 800 metres on wind scoured slopes. Strong North-Easterly winds have formed localised accumulations of windslab around the tops of sheltered gullies and on slopes with a South to Westerly aspect mainly above 900 metres. More extensive accumulations of older windslab still remain on North through to Easterly slopes and in all sheltered gullies above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) where deep windslab exists. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 27/1/04 It will remain cold with strong variable winds and snow showers on Tuesday. Unstable accumulations of windslab will form in all sheltered gullies and on slopes with an East through South to Westerly aspect with older windslab remaining on North to East facing slopes mainly above 800 metres. Where deeper windslab exists or where old snow ice underlies windslab bonding will be poor. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500 metres ICING: Ice forming above 300 metres on rocks and paths. COMMENT: Conditions are improving with colder weather. Windslab and fresh cornices will require caution. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 26/1/04 More wintry weather with snow showers and North-East winds are combining to create new deposits of windslab on to South to South-West aspects. The main accumulations zones are above 900 metres at the heads of gullies and high on scarp slopes. Snow lying on plateau areas is also being scoured and re- deposited as new slab in these locations. Old slab is still present on North through East to South-East aspects, although this is being subjected to wind erosion. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 27/1/04 Cold temperatures and moderate generally Northerly winds and snow showers will persist overnight and during Tuesday. Windslab will continue to build on all East through South to South-West slopes and gullies above 850 metres where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Looking much whiter now and this will improve as wintry weather sets in. Snow line at approx. 600 metres on Monday. ICING: Generally thin build up, with free water noted on some routes. Expected to improve in colder conditions. COMMENT: Very cold over summits on Tuesday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 26/1/04 There have been continuing snow showers on moderate North- Easterly winds. This has led to further accumulations of soft slab mainly above 900 metres on South-Westerly aspects where the new snow lies on larger areas of steep snow-ice. Soft slab was also noted on Easterly aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 27/1/04 There will be more snow showers on a cold, strong North-East backing North-Westerly wind. Slab will continue to build over the underlying old snow-ice which will produce some instabilities especially on steep ground. Areas mainly affected will be on Easterly through South to South-Westerly aspects above 900 metres where avalanches are likely. Other aspects will also be affected especially gully heads and scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels and cover improving. ICING: Some snow-ice remaining in the gullies. COMMENT: The cold weather is set to continue. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 26/1/04 There have been continuing snow showers on moderate North- Easterly winds. This has led to further accumulations of soft slab mainly above 900 metres on South-Westerly aspects where the new snow lies on larger areas of steep snow-ice. Soft slab was also noted on Easterly aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 27/1/04 There will be more snow showers on a cold, strong North-East backing North-Westerly wind. Slab will continue to build over the underlying old snow-ice which will produce some instabilities especially on steep ground. Areas mainly affected will be on Easterly through South to South-Westerly aspects above 900 metres where avalanches are likely. Other aspects will also be affected especially gully heads and scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels and cover improving. ICING: Some snow-ice remaining in the gullies. COMMENT: The cold weather is set to continue. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------