NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 26/2/04 Periods of moderate snow have led to accumulations of 30-40 centimetres of new snow. The distribution of the new snow is highly variable, quite contrary to the pattern of prevailing winds and lee slopes. On crag aprons and from the tops of gullies the downslope extent is quite limited. However at 1110 metres on a North-West aspect there are well developed facets and accompanying easy shear. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 27/2/04 Further snow showers are forecast with strong Northerly winds. The extent of the slab is becoming more widespread on Southerly and Easterly aspects above 900 metres. On some local terrain features of West and North aspect the slab will continue to lie on a facet layer. Avalanches are likely in all these areas. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: More snow on all aspects. ICING: Cold temperatures but some seepage or snow melt is required. COMMENT: Careful route finding required around increasing areas of instability. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 26/2/04 Overnight snowfall and strong Northerly winds have lead to localised areas of soft windslab developing. These areas are generally confined to the tops of sheltered South-East and South aspects. Some sheltered East facing gullies are also affected. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3), although the hazard is generally avoidable. The pre-existing older snow remains stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 27/2/04 Light snow showers and Northerly winds will continue overnight and during Friday. Localised areas of soft slab will be present mainly at the tops of South-East and South aspects. Some sheltered East facing gullies will also be affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will remain generally stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light covering of fresh snow at all levels. ICING: Climbing still good on Aonach Mor and Ben Nevis. COMMENT: Any hazard tends to be very localised in nature. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 26/2/04 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 FRI 27/2/04 The cold 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. ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 400 metres. COMMENT: Old snowpack hard and icy in places. Fresh windslab will require great caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 26/2/04 The cold, showery and windy conditions have maintained areas of unstable windslab. These localised accumulations are to be found in very sheltered steeper locations on SE to SW aspects above 900 metres. These accumulations remain generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Exposed areas are wind blown and stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 27/2/04 The wintry conditions will continue. Unstable windslab will be found in very sheltered and steep terrain such as gullies and scarp slopes on SE to SW aspects above 900 metres. 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. Some easier gullies remain complete. ICING: Watercourses remain the best option. Turf solid! Limited snow on Lochnagar buttresses. COMMENT: Remaining cold again during Friday. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 26/2/04 Moderate North-West winds carrying snow showers have created additional new windslab deposits on East to Southerly aspects above 850 metres. Fluctuating temperatures have brought a little consolidation to the snowpack at lower elevations but stability in higher locations remains marginal. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 27/2/04 Additional snow showers on cold Northerly winds will load poorly stabilised windslab on to steep, sheltered East to Southerly aspects above 850 metres where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Fragile cornices will continue to develop over steep lee slopes and gullies of the above aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable cover of fresh snow at all levels on Thursday with deeper drifts in places. ICING: Continuing to develop but overall conditions remain modest. COMMENT: Some scope for 'imaginative' ski tourers in and around Creag Meagaidh and its immediate environs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------