NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 29/1/04 Snow showers have added to deep accumulations on various aspects somewhat irrespective of prevailing winds from the North-West and North-East. Even following the heavy snowfall large scoured areas persist, mostly on Easterly aspects. However deep foot penetrations and easy shears were noted on Westerly and on some smaller features of Easterly aspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 30/1/04 There will be further snow showers and North-West then Westerly winds. With the continuing cold temperatures settlement rates will be slowed and instabilities due to firm layers lying on very soft layers will persist. The distribution of the unstable slab will be highly variable by aspect and small terrain features will influence loading patterns. Avalanches are likely above 950 metres mainly on Easterly and Southerly aspects, but also on some North-facing slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good quality skiable snow. ICING: Requires more snow settlement to be revealed. COMMENT: Still a few seats available for the avalanche seminar at Glenmore Lodge this weekend. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 29/1/04 Snow showers and a cold airflow has continued to form areas of soft slab. Under test this slab shears easily with accumulations building rapidly in strengthening West winds. Deposits are varied in distribution forming on many sheltered aspects. Greatest accumulations are on North through to East to South- East aspects above 800m, particularly scarp slopes and the tops of gullies. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Soft unstable cornices are present. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 30/1/04 Snow showers and strong North-West to West winds will continue to form areas of weakly bonded windslab in many sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on North through to East to South-East aspects above 800m, particularly scarp slopes and the tops of gullies where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Unstable cornices will continue to form. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels. Best cover in high N and E facing corries. ICING: Improving on routes today (29/01/04) freezing level rising to 500m on Friday. COMMENT: Significant transport of snow in the strong winds this afternoon (29/01/04) Caution advised on approaches and exits of routes. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 29/1/04 Strong winds varying between North and South-West have scoured many exposed slopes. New snow and a re-distribution of older accumulations have formed weakly bonded windslab in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North-East to Southerly aspect above 900 metres. Very fragile cornices exist above these locations. Accumulations of older windslab still remain on some North through to Easterly slopes and sheltered gullies above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) where deep windslab exists. Fresh cornice debris noted Coire nam Beith. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 30/1/04 A strong airflow from the North-West or West with snow showers will continue to form fresh accumulations of windslab in all sheltered gullies and on slopes with North-East through East to Southerly aspect above 800 metres. Older windslab remaining on North to East facing slopes mainly above 900 metres will also be potentially unstable. Where deeper accumulations of windslab exist or where old snow-ice underlies windslab, bonding will be poor. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches and cornice collapse are likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 100m. ICING: Ice above 200 metres but freezing level rising to 500m. COMMENT: Windslab and fresh cornices will require great caution. Where exposed old snow will be hard and icy. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 29/1/04 The strong winds have eased but a slight change in the direction has led to some re-distribution. Above 750 metres new unstable deep accumulations are building in sheltered locations on E to SE aspects with some localised deposits still to be found on SW aspects. All deeper deposits continue to be weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Some new cornices are reasonably sized. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 30/1/04 It will continue wintry with some further showers adding to the already unstable deposits found on mainly E to SE aspects above 750 metres. Avalanches are likely with greatest hazard to be found in steeper sheltered locations such as scarp slopes, gullies and steep burns. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices will exist. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Exposed areas windblown or with thin cover. ICING: No significant ice, but turf is mostly well frozen. COMMENT: Route choice still very important . CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 29/1/04 Strong to gale force Westerly winds have loaded North through East to South aspects above 600 metres with deep unstable windslab deposits. Field tests produced easy and moderate shears in depths of up to 120cm. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4) with avalanche activity observed on an Easterly aspect at 850 metres. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 30/1/04 A strong Westerly airflow with strong winds and snow showers will continue to develop deep windslab deposits on North through East to South aspects above 700 metres where avalanches will occur. In cold temperatures weak sub-surface layers will continue to exist and triggering is probable with low additional loads. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Large unstable cornice development will continue on steep lee aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels, deep drifts in places. ICING: Poor and now very buried. COMMENT: Large unstable cornices above many steep aspects. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------