NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 5/3/04 There were a few very isolated snow showers above 1000 metres on a mostly clear day. There has been further gradual rounding of the buried faceted layers and the shears on these layers are hard. Snowpack stability is fair to good with a few pockets of unstable slab. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 6/3/04 Another fair day is forecast with some snow showers and light winds from the North-West quarter. Generally snowpack stability will be fair to good. There will be a few remaining pockets of instability on steep convex unsupported terrain, mainly on South aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Something for everyone on the plateau; skiers, walkers, snowshoers and fell runners. ICING: Good flat ice; little addition on steep North aspects. COMMENT: It will be busy weekend on the hills; careful route finding around areas of instability required. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 5/3/04 A light dusting of snow has fallen overnight with the freezing level remaining around 1200m. Areas of soft, moderately well bonded snow are present mainly on sheltered North, North-East and East facing slopes and gullies above 1100m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 6/3/04 Colder temperatures and snow showers are expected overnight and during Saturday. Localised areas of soft, moderately bonded snow will be present mainly on sheltered North, North-East and East facing slopes and gullies above 1100m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some fresh snow above 950m today. ICING: Freezing level hovering around 1200m today (Friday). COMMENT: Expected to get colder again on Saturday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 5/3/04 Ther are light accumulations of new snow above 900m. The snowpack stability is still generally good. Some isolated accumulations of weakly bonded windslab exist on steep slopes and in the higher gullies with a North though to a Northeasterly aspect mainly above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard in these locations is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 6/3/04 Light snow showers and fresh West to North-Westerly winds will affect the area. The old moist snowpack will consolidate as freezing level drops to around 500m. New accumulations of windslab will form in sheltered locations with a North to Easterly aspect these are not expected to be extensive. The greatest hazard will be on steeper slopes and especially around the tops of gullies where windslab has formed on North to Easterly aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly in sheltered high corries and gullies above 900 metres. Some wet ice is still present above 800m. ICING: Thawing ice on rocks and paths above 700 metres. This will start to re-freeze COMMENT: Conditions should start to improve as the freezing drops, consolidating the snowpack further. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 5/3/04 The snow is generally well bonded on all aspects with some softening taking place on South facing slopes and at lower altitudes. Largest areas exist on mainly SE to SW aspects with the South Cairngorms holding more snow than the White Mounth. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 6/3/04 With a return to cooler conditions surface layers of the snow will re-freeze overnight leaving them firm and well bonded by morning. Any snow showers will be light and will not form any significant accumulations. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The higher plateau areas have reasonable cover. At lower altitudes the thaw continues. ICING: Freezing level lowering to 500 metres. COMMENT: Buttresses black on Southerly aspects. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 5/3/04 The occasional light sleety shower has been blown in on South- West winds, but in general it has been a dry, bright day. A little thin, patchy windslab lies on some North-East to East aspects above 980 metres. Elsewhere, the snowpack has been through a few melt-freeze cycles and is generally well-stabilised. Sun- exposed patches of snow were much softer by the end of the day. The avalanche hazard remains Moderate (Category 2). Fragments of cornice debris litter the bottom of many steep East to South East-facing slopes and gullies. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 6/3/04 A few snow showers on a light North-Westerly airflow will lead to the development of some thin soft windslab on steep East- North-East to South-East aspects. This new slab will be limited to very steep locations above 900 metres. The snowpack in all other areas will be subjected to a refreeze and remain well-stabilised. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Largest patches above 800 metres; significantly depleted below this altitude. ICING: The shaded Post Face routes are holding a little ice but the build up is pretty thin (and narrow). COMMENT: Principal low grade gullies complete but also a little narrow in places. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------