NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/2/04 There has been heavy rain at all levels, and strong South- Westerly winds gusting as high as 108mph on the summit. After a period of instability the rain soaked snow is reasonably well bonded. However remaining cornices and areas of steep soft snow show signs of instability. These can be found on most aspects but especially North and East aspects above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/2/04 The mild South-West airstream will continue with decreasing winds and rain at all levels. The snow pack will continue to thaw with stability improving in these conditions. However instabilities will remain on most aspects above 950 metres where areas of steep soft snow exist. Any remaining cornices will be prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The snow is rapidly depleting however large areas remain. ICING: The buttresses are black but some gullies are complete. COMMENT: Waders appropriate for large areas of slush. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/2/04 Heavy rain and freezing levels well above the summits have further reduced the snowpack. Wet snow instabilities are present on steep slopes, notably North through North East to East aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Remaining cornices are prone to collapse. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/2/04 Thaw conditions will continue to further deplete the snowpack. Wet snow instabilities will remain on steep slopes, notably North through North East to East aspects 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack will be thawing and generally stable. Remaining cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow restricted to high North and East facing corries above 900 metres. ICING: Disappearing fast. COMMENT: Hazard of rock and ice falling in current thaw conditions. Winds easing later on Wednesday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/2/04 Very heavy rain and mild conditions have maintained the snowpack in a saturated condition. Wet snow instabilities exist on the steepest slopes. Areas most at risk are sheltered gullies, hollows and slopes with a North to Easterly aspect mainly above 950 metres. Elsewhere snowpack stability is generally improving. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) on the steepest slopes. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/2/04 Very mild conditions and a strong South-Westerly airflow will continue to affect the area. Drier conditions than of late, with only moderate rainfall expected, will assist the consolidation process of much of the snowpack. Wet snow instabilities will remain on the steepest slopes and gullies mainly with a Northerly to Easterly aspect above 900 metres. Cornices above many of these areas will also remain prone to collapse, particularly as temperatures rise during the course of the day. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) on the steepest slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 850 metres ICING: Freezing levels well above summits COMMENT: Poor outlook, very windy and mild on the summits but at least not so wet as of late! SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/2/04 There has been a period of increased instability with avalanche activity observed at Lochnagar late last night. Heavy rain and temperatures of plus 8 degrees centigrade at 930 metres are rapidly thawing the snowpack. Surface instability persists on steeper ground on mainly N to E aspects above 900 metres. The remaining snow is wet but generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cornice collapse remains a serious hazard. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/2/04 The freezing level will lower slightly overnight before rising to 2000 metres during the day. The remaining snow will continue to thaw with most locations holding wet but generally stable deposits. On the steepest ground on N to E aspects above 900 metres moderately bonded surface layers may persist and any remaining cornices will continue to soften. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). There will be a hazard of falling rock and ice. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Significant reduction at lower elevations and breaking through badly at summit level. ICING: Subject to thaw conditions. COMMENT: Lochnagar buttresses are black. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/2/04 Very wet and exceptionally mild weather has continued to de- stabilise the snowpack. Debris from a deep, wet slab avalanche and a full depth avalanche was noted below East to South-East aspects in Coire a Chriochairein. Avalanche activity and cornice collapse was observed close to South Post in Coire Ardair and new debris was also noted below all North East aspects of the Inner Coire. Many large, thoroughly wet cornices remain in place over steep North through East to South East aspects. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/2/04 Very mild and wet conditions will continue overnight and through Wednesday. Although the main accumulations of the snowpack are now much reduced in size and limited to locations above 800 metres, stability will remain very poor. Avalanches will occur on any steep slope of a North through East to Southerly aspect, especially those overhung by large cornices. Full depth avalanches are probable and the run-outs from these could be very long indeed. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Limited to above 800 metres. ICING: Free water cascading down some popular routes. COMMENT: All burns (and footpaths) in full spate on Tuesday. Extreme caution required on river crossings. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------