NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 24/2/04 Snow showers have continued on decreasing North-Westerly winds and freezing levels remained well below the summits. The main accumulations are on East to South aspects above 950 metres. Tests showed very easy shears between the slab layers on a South-East aspect at 1100 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 25/2/04 The very cold Northerly airstream will continue with strong winds and snow showers. Accumulations of unstable slab and cornices will continue to build on East to South aspects above 950 metres where avalanches are likely. Northerly aspects will also be affected with very isolated pockets of slab particularly on scarp slopes and steep exits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: There are reasonable accumulations of snow on the plateau. ICING: Slowly Improving. COMMENT: Cold conditions set to continue. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 24/2/04 Snow showers and West-North-West winds have formed localised shallow areas of fresh windslab. Accumulations are generally restricted to the tops of steep slopes with a North-East through East to South-East aspect above 1150 metres. Below 1150 metres a brief thaw-freeze cycle has left the new snow with a surface crust and it is generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 25/2/04 Snow showers and a strong North-West to North wind will form areas of windslab. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered North-East through East to South aspects above 900 metres. The tops of gullies and scarp slopes will be particularly affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Fresh unstable cornices will form. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light snow at all levels. Best cover in high North and East facing corries. ICING: Freezing at all levels tomorrow. (25/2/04) COMMENT: Strong winds could make for difficult hill conditions for a while tomorrow. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 24/2/04 New snow overnight was followed by a melt freeze cycle at all levels making stability of the general snowpack good with a widespread frozen surface. Pockets of light graupel are forming in the most sheltered of areas mainly above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 25/2/04 A very cold North-West to Northerly airstream with snow showers and the possibility of more prolonged snow will persist overnight and through Wednesday. The old snowpack where exposed will remain hard and icy and will be very stable. Unstable accumulations of windslab will form in sheltered locations such as summit gullies and on East through South to South-West facing slopes above 850 metres where avalanches are likely. Bonding to the underlying snow ice will be poor particularly on steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly in sheltered corries and gullies above 850 metres. ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 600 metres. COMMENT: Old snowpack hard and icy in places. Fresh windslab and cornices will require great caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 24/2/04 There is some fresh snow but strong winds have restricted distribution to very sheltered locations where moderately to weakly bonded windslab is present. These highly localised but significant deposits exist on SE to SW aspects above 900 metres. The South Cairngorms have more snow than the Glen Shee and Lochnagar areas. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 25/2/04 Snow showers and drifting will occur throughout the period. Moderately to weakly bonded deposits will be found on E through S to SW aspects above 900 metres. Avalanches are likely in steeper sheltered locations where new accumulations form over older snow ice. Scarp slopes, gullies and steep burns will be particularly affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover across the South Cairngorms. Old snow in high N and E facing corries. ICING: Watercourses remain the best option. Turf solid! COMMENT: Watch out for snow covered ice on paths. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 24/2/04 Snow showers on a strong North-West wind have begun fresh windslab development. Isolated and shallow deposits of moderately bonded windslab are present on North-East through East to South aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 25/2/04 Moderate snow showers will continue on gale force Northerly winds. Windslab development will become more widespread on North-East through East to South aspects above 800 metres. Stability will be varied with weak to moderate bonding expected where fresh slab develops on top of existing old icy snow patches. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Fresh cornice development will also begin on affected steep lee slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A dusting of fresh snow at all levels. ICING: Generally poor climbing conditions with some thin ice development, but not enough to get excited about. COMMENT: Looks like winter's back with a vengeance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------