NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 25/2/04 Snow showers have not added appreciably to the existing snowpack with the most extensive cover still on Southerly and Easterly aspects. The temperature gradient in the snowpack has eased and no evidence was observed of crystal growth. The low density layers have firmed up. Although a clean shear was identified in the limited distribution slab it was not easy. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 26/2/04 The forecast snow showers will not significantly decrease snow stability which will remain fair to good. There will be pockets of slab on Easterly and Southerly aspects above 900 metres. Although the distribution is relatively limited and mostly avoidable, cautious route finding is required. The avalanche hazard will be Consdierable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Skiable plateau sections. ICING: Extensive on low angle terrain. COMMENT: There's never enough snow for everyone but there is enough for the Backcountry Ski Fest to be held at Glenmore Lodge this weekend. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 25/2/04 Some further light snowfall has occurred overnight. This fresh snow overlies a recent melt-freeze crust. There are no significant new snow accumulations. Snowpack stability is generally good. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 26/2/04 Snow showers and strong Northerly winds will start to form fresh areas of windslab in sheltered locations. New windslab accumulations will generally be restricted to the tops of East, South-East and South facing slopes and gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). The existing snowpack will remain generally stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very little fresh snow on top. ICING: Remaining cold. COMMENT: Far more snow on the mountains out West! GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 25/2/04 Cold conditions have maintained very good stability of the general snowpack with a widespread frozen surface. Light snow showers and Northerly winds have formed isolated areas of weakly bonded windslab containing graupel in the most sheltered of areas mainly above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 26/2/04 The cold North-West to Northerly airstream will persist with snow showers. 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. 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. Hopefully more on the way with blustery snow showers forecast for next few days. 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 WED 25/2/04 Drifting has continued in the strong winds with further accumulations forming in very sheltered locations only. Unstable windslab is to be found on SE to SW aspects above 900 metres. Deposits are localised and avoidable but stability remains poor. Cornices are starting to form. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Exposed areas are wind blown and stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 26/2/04 Light snow showers on strong winds will continue to form unstable windslab in very sheltered locations on SE to SW aspects above 900 metres. Moderately to weakly bonded deposits are most likely to be found in terrain features such as steep burns, gullies and scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Exposed areas will remain wind blown and stable. 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: Remaining cold with a significant wind-chill factor. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 25/2/04 Regular snow showers and Northerly winds have combined to create new marginally stabilised windslab on steep East-South- East through South to South-West aspects above 900 metres. Slab amounts and depths vary with aspect but clean, easy shears were noted where new snow overlies patches of old snow-ice. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 26/2/04 Additional snow showers and cold, generally Northerly winds will continue to load windslab on to East through to South aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will also continue to develop over steep scarp slopes and gullies of similar aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable cover of fresh snow at all levels on Wednesday. ICING: Certainly cold enough for something to start forming but conditions in general remain pretty lean. COMMENT: Wintry for a while. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------