LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 31/1/04 Large areas of moderately to weakly bonded snow are present on many aspects. Greatest accumulations are on North, North East, East and South East aspects above 900m, notably gullies, scarp slopes and crag aprons. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 1/2/04 After a dry night, snow showers and a rising freezing level are expected during Sunday, with the freezing level well above the summits by the end of the day. Large areas of moderately to weakly bonded snow will be present on many aspects. Greatest accumulations are on North, North East, East and South East aspects above 900m, notably gullies, scarp slopes and crag aprons. As the freezing level rises during Sunday, instabilities within the snowpack will increase and avalanches will occur in the above mentioned locations. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover above 600m. ICING: Freezing level expected to rise well above the summits by the end of Sunday. COMMENT: Greatest period of instability later in the day as the freezing level rises. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 31/1/04 No significant new snow but strong winds from the NE were redistributing some of the existing snow. Although consolidation is taking place moderately to weakly bonded snow is still found in sheltered locations on E through S to SW aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 1/2/04 There will be some snow showers and a slight rise in the freezing level but the snowpack will remain much the same. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab will persist in sheltered locations on E through S to SW aspects above 800 metres. Gully exits and scarp slopes continue to provide the greatest hazard. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Linked ski touring possible. ICING: Despite recent thaw freeze Creagan a Choire Etchachan has very little ice on it. COMMENT: Many tracks remain a tiresome walk. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 31/1/04 North-East to East winds have been re-depositing snow as windslab on steep, sheltered South-West to West aspects above 900 metres. Although these accumulations are not extensive, many lie on a buried crust that allowed very easy shears during field tests. Some improvement in stability was noted in the large deposits of older slab that lie on steep North to East-facing slopes and gullies above 900 metres. Cornices overhanging these locations were subjected to wind erosion, but many remain large. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 1/2/04 Snow showers on South-West winds on Sunday will bring about new windslab development on North to East aspects. The deepest accumulations will be at the tops of gullies, exit ramps and steep, sheltered scarp slopes above 900 metres where stability will be no better than marginal. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Crusty snow at all levels on Saturday. Breakable crust a nightmare on the walk-in. ICING: Some ice development noted in places on some Post face routes but is still too limited to offer good sport. COMMENT: Start of a warming trend on Sunday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 31/1/04 A melt freeze cycle has improved the stability of the older snow cover. Persistent light snow today and strong winds predominantly from the East are forming weakly bonded windslab in all sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are forming in summit gullies and scarp slopes with a South-West to Northerly aspect mainly above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) where deep windslab exists or where snow ice underlies windslab. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 1/2/04 It will remain cold overnight getting milder during the course of the day. Snow showers and a strong South-West wind will initially form areas of weakly bonded windslab in all sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North to South-Easterly aspect mainly above 800 metres. Gully exits and scarp slopes will be particularly affected by fresh accumulations. Much milder conditions later on Sunday will further reduce stability. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) where deep windslab exists or where snow ice underlies windslab. Avalanches and cornice collapse are likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 200 m. ICING: Ice above 300m. COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses have a light cover of new snow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 31/1/04 Winds from the East and South-East have changed the snow distribution pattern. Deepest foot penetrations were observed between 700 - 900 metres on all aspects. Where sampled the snowpack showed no shear characteristics. Pockets of instability persist on steep unsupported terrain above 1000 metres where snow cover is greater than 2 metres deep and on some apron slopes. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 1/2/04 Freezing levels will rise with South-West winds and snow showers. The instability is becoming more locally isolated but will be located on all aspects above 1000 metres. Avalanches are likely due to the rapid warming (up to 3 degrees at 1245 metres). Cornice failure is likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover on many slopes above 1000 metres. Boulder fields and bare ground still there for the unwary. ICING: Slowly improving. COMMENT: Instability due to rapid warming and isolated storm snow instability will test route finding skills. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------