CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 28/2/04 Snow showers on strong Northerly winds have continued development of weakly bonded soft windslab on East to South aspects above 850 metres. Loose snow avalanche debris was noted in several locations on South-East aspects above 900 metres (Coire nan Gall). The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 29/2/04 Light snow on moderate Westerly winds. Isolated areas of weakly bonded windslab will continue to exist on East to South aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Drifted snow of varying depths at all levels. ICING: Some development but remaining poor. COMMENT: Ski-touring possible but mostly at higher elevations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 28/2/04 The intensity of snow eased off in the past 24 hours with further light accumulations in lighter winds on nearly all aspects. The snowpack shows instabilities due to storm snow amounts not having much time to settle out and a crystal growth layer, both giving clean and sometimes easy shears. Cornice development noted on Southerly aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 29/2/04 The cold Northerly flow will stop. There will be light snow showers and West-South-West winds. Storm instabilities will persist particularly on Southerly aspects above 900 metres on steep terrain. Avalanches are also likely on other aspects where the shape of the smaller features of terrain has led to localised loading. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Excellent cover on South aspects; easy skinning up, watch for boulders under the weighted ski going down. ICING: More routes coming into good thin condition. COMMENT: Good ski touring, especially for those following the first person down. Watch out for the steep terrain. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 28/2/04 It has been a dry day with sunny intervals. Some consolidation of recent deposits has taken place but in sheltered locations on SE to SW aspects above 700 metres moderately to weakly bonded windslab still exists. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Many slopes are wind scoured and stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 29/2/04 It will be a mostly dry day with only a trace of new snow forecast. Consolidation of the recent deposits that exist on SE to SW aspects above 700 metres will continue with many areas becoming moderately well bonded. In steeper sheltered locations where localised deeper deposits exist some moderately to weakly bonded layers will persist. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mostly wind scoured slopes with deeper drifts on SE to SW aspects. ICING: Where moisture exists there is ice, but buttresses remain quite dry and the turf is becoming brittle. COMMENT: Plenty of water ice underfoot! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 28/2/04 Cold conditions have maintained very good stability of the general snowpack with a widespread frozen surface. Northerly winds have formed isolated areas of weakly bonded windslab in the most sheltered of areas mainly above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 29/2/04 It will remain cold and dry overnight. A warm front will give steadily milder conditions with freezing levels rising to 700 metres during the course of Sunday. The old snowpack where exposed will remain firm and will be very stable. Occasional showers of new snow and South-Westerly winds will form mainly shallow accumulations of windslab in sheltered summit gullies and on North through to South-Easterly facing slopes above 850 metres. Where windslab forms 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. Widespread snow ice. ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 400 metres. COMMENT: Old snowpack hard and icy, crampons and ice axe essential. Some very good climbing conditions mainly restricted to higher easier routes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 28/2/04 After a dry night, Saturday has been cold and with plenty of sunshine. Localised areas of shallow windslab are present. Accumulations are mainly restricted to the tops of South East, South and South West aspects, and are generally avoidable. Shallow surface instabilities are present on steep slopes exposed to solar radiation. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 29/2/04 Light snow showers and a West South West airflow on Sunday will see little change. Any fresh accumulations will be on North East and East aspects, and are not expected to be significant. Localised areas of shallow windslab will also remain at the tops of South East and South aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: No fresh snow. Best cover in High North and east facing corries ICING: Warming on Sunday, but not high enough to get to the routes in condition. COMMENT: Another great day on the hill today (28/02/04). The old snowpack will remain well frozen. Ice axe and crampons essential. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------