NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/2/04 It continues to be unseasonally warm for 'normal' winter temperatures with mid-day temperature at summit of 2 degrees. The snowpack is isothermal and typical of a strong spring snowpack. Where sampled at 1100 metres on a Northerly aspect there are several layers of well bonded coarse grained snow. Large rockfall observed from Crotched Gully. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/2/04 Temperatures will continue warm with easing South-West then Westerly winds. There will be no precipitation. The snowpack stability will be good with continued hazard from rockfall. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: South side of Cairngorm has skiable sections. ICING: Ice axes and crampons still required. COMMENT: Take heart; someone said that within living memory there was a worse winter. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/2/04 Dry and warm conditions prevail with warm summit temperatures. The snowpack is continuing to thaw and consolidate at all levels. Localised surface instabilities are present on steep aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/2/04 South West winds and continuing warm summit temperatures will further thaw the snowpack slowly at all levels. Snowpack stability will be generally good with localised surface instabilities remaining on steep slope inclinations. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main snow cover remaining in N and E facing corries above 900m. ICING: Any remaining ice will become increasing liable to collapse. COMMENT: Summer conditions likely for a while yet! GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/2/04 Mild dry and settled conditions today have continued to stabilise the snowpack in most areas. Surface wet snow instabilities remain on the steepest slopes and gullies mainly with a North- East to South-East aspect above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/2/04 The very mild and dry conditions will continue to affect the area. With summit temperatures of around plus 5 degrees centigrade forecast the snowpack will remain generally soft and moist. Stability of much of the snowpack will be good but wet snow instabilities will remain on the steepest North-East through to South-East slopes and sheltered summit gullies mainly above 950 metres. Some of these areas will remain threatened by potentially weak cornices. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly in sheltered corries and gullies above 850 metres. ICING: Thawing all levels with very mild outlook. COMMENT: Dry and mild conditions will continue. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/2/04 It has been another warm day with the remaining patchy snow continuing slowly to thaw. The snow is now stable on all aspects. Falling ice was observed on Creagan a'Choire Etchachan and cornice debris above Loch Etchachan. Some higher gullies continue to hold snow. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/2/04 The remaining patchy snow will continue to thaw at all levels. Greatest snow depths will be found in higher N through E to SE facing corries. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). The few remaining cornices will continue to be a hazard. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Highly broken at all levels. Best cover on higher N, NE, E and SE aspects. ICING: Limited ice thawing at all levels today. COMMENT: Some easy snow gullies remain complete. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/2/04 Further consolidation has taken place and a much depleted, moist and generally stable snowpack prevails. In gully exits and steeper sheltered North-East through East to South-East aspects the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). A residual hazard from rock, falling ice and collapsing cornices persists in the thaw conditions. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/2/04 It will remain dry with freezing level above the summits. The snowpack will remain generally well bonded on all aspects with moderately bonded soft and moist windslab persisting on steep North-East through East to South-East aspects above 750 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patches only above 750 metres. ICING: Mostly gone with a few poor quality remnants in highest locations. COMMENT: Very poor climbing conditions with all main gully lines broken or non-existent. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------