LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 18/2/04 The recent dusting of fresh snow is still present above 850m. There are no significant new snow accumulations. The old snow remains frozen and stable except in places exposed to solar radiation where some surface softening has taken place. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 19/2/04 The cold and settled conditions will continue with no real change to the current snow conditions. The snowpack will remain frozen and stable. Surface softening will take place on slopes exposed to solar radiation. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover in high North and East facing corries. ICING: Remaining cold so conditions likely to remain the same: good snow/ice build up in many of the easier gully lines. COMMENT: Expect another busy day on the crags so get up early to beat the queues! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 18/2/04 Conditions have remained cold and dry over this period. The older patchy snow remains well bonded and stable on all aspects. Areas exposed to the sun were beginning to soften. Largest amounts of snow are to be found in sheltered locations on N through E to SE aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 19/2/04 Another cold night will be followed by a sunny day. Snow conditions will remain much the same with patchy old snow remaining well bonded and snow exposed to the sun gradually softening during the day. Greatest amounts are to be found on N through E to SE aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Largest patches in higher N through E to SE corries. ICING: Watercourses are starting to freeze in shaded locations but there is a still a long way to go yet. COMMENT: A few easier snow gullies are just about complete. Turf much firmer today. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 18/2/04 Dry settled conditions are maintaining most of the snowpack in a very stable condition. Shallow surface instabilities are forming on slopes affected by sun warming. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 19/2/04 Cold, calm and dry conditions will continue to affect the area. This will maintain a re-frozen surface on most of the remaining snowpack. Stability will generally be good but some surface instabilities will form on slopes affected by solar warming: cornices above these areas will also weaken during the course of the day. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly in sheltered corries and gullies above 850 metres. ICING: Re-forming on rocks above 900 metres. COMMENT: Good weather outlook but conditions limited mainly to higher easy gullies and ridges. Snowpack hard and icy in places. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 18/2/04 Shaded locations were well below freezing all day while on sun exposed slopes the temperature at 1000 metres reached 2 degrees. The snow surface moistened below 900 metres in the sun and some snowballing activity was noted on steep ground. Above 1000 metres the snowpack surface was dry. There was a very easy shear down 15 centimetres on an Easterly aspect at 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 19/2/04 Continued clear weather is forecast with light winds. Southerly aspects below 900 metres will have a moistened snow surface with minor loose surface snow instability. Although the distribution is quite limited the slab instability will persist on Easterly aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh tracks from skis and foot on the plateau. ICING: Climbing gear sale cancelled; limited but some ice is back. COMMENT: Another chance for near full range of winter activities in lean conditions and special caution that requires. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 18/2/04 Sub-zero temperatures overnight have re-frozen the surface of the snowpack. On sun-exposed aspects the snow was wetter and softer. Shaded North and East aspects remain very hard and tightly bonded. The largest patches of snow are limited to locations above 850 metres. Surface hoar crystals were found on all shaded patches. The avalanche hazard remains Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 19/2/04 Cold and dry conditions overnight will maintain a stable snowpack in all locations. Shaded Northerly aspects will remain hard and frozen whereas patches of snow on sun-exposed Southerly aspects will moisten and soften by the end of the day. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Largest patches above 850 metres with hard crusty conditions in many places. ICING: Poor. COMMENT: Raeburn's and Easy Gully complete but narrow in places. Creag Meagaidh busy again today (Wednesday) with 'Team Bedford' prominent in Coire Ardair. Promising forecast for Thursday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------