NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 9/3/04
It has been a fine dry day with light South-East winds and 
summit temperatures above zero.  Where tested at 1040 metres 
on a Southerly aspect there were easy shears between the hard 
packed slab layers and on the hard snow-ice layer.  On shallow 
angle terrain on a South aspect "wumpfing" was noted.  There 
are also large cornices and sluff debris on South aspects.  The 
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 10/3/04
It will be a much cooler day with occasional light snow showers 
on light South-Easterly winds.  This will lead to very small 
accumulations of fresh slab mainly on plateau rims on North-
Westerly aspects.  Deep-seated weakness will continue to exist 
on most aspects above 900 metres, particularly on steep open 
convex slopes on East to South aspects.  The avalanche hazard
will be Considerable (Category 3).  

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The plateau is very well covered.
ICING:  Improving in the Northern Corries, thawing on South 
aspects today.  
COMMENT:  Careful route finding needed on steep slopes. 

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 9/3/04
Localised shallow surface instabilities are present in sheltered
locations. Distribution of these areas is variable, with the
greatest amounts on North-East to South-East facing slopes and
gullies above 1100m. Soft surface instabilities are present on
steep slopes exposed to solar radiation. Elsewhere the snowpack
is generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 10/3/04
Little change is expected to the current snow conditions
overnight and during Wednesday. Localised shallow surface
instabilities will remain, mainly on North-East to South- East
facing slopes and gullies above 1100m. Elsewhere the snowpack
will be generally stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low
(Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover in high North and East 
facing corries. 
ICING: Remaining cold for Wednesday.	
COMMENT: Settled weather set to continue.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 9/3/04
Cold conditions overnight re-froze much of the old snowpack 
and formed a widespread cover of surface hoar.  Isolated 
accumulations of moderate to weakly bonded windslab remain 
on steep slopes in the most sheltered areas mainly above 950 
metres.  Greatest accumulations are in summit gullies and slopes 
with a North to Easterly aspect.  Surface instabilities are also 
forming on slopes affected by sun warming.  Avalanche hazard 
is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 10/3/04
Dry and cold conditions will continue to affect the area.  Little 
change is expected to the overall condition of the snowpack.  
Where exposed the older snow will remain firm and stable other 
than areas affected by sun warming where surface instabilities 
will form.  Moderate to weakly bonded windslab will remain in 
sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North to Easterly aspect 
above 950 metres.  The avalanche hazard will be Moderate 
(Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly in sheltered high corries and 
gullies above 850 metres. 
ICING: Mainly above 700 metres 
COMMENT: Old snow hard and icy in places, crampons and 
axe essential.  Cornices will weaken with the effects of solar 
warming during the course of Wednesday.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 9/3/04
Although snow cover is limited there continues to be a mix of 
snow types. SE to SW aspects are being softened by the sun but 
where cooler snow is present partially formed faceted crystals 
are causing moderate bonding. In softer snow in steeper 
locations sheltered from the sun surface layers are also 
moderately bonded above 920 metres. The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 10/3/04
It will be another calm period but cloudier with some snow 
flurries. These will not provide any significant depth but 
moderately bonded layers will remain in softer deposits on SE to 
SW aspects and also on steeper slopes on N to NE aspects above 
920 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 
2). 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The higher plateau areas of the 
South Cairngorms have reasonable cover. 
ICING: Ice quality is good but in limited locations.
COMMENT: Good ski touring higher in Southern Cairngorms.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 9/3/04
Freeze-thaw cycles have produced a sparse and stable
snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 10/3/04
Settled conditions will bring little change to the current 
avalanche hazard which will remain Low (Category 1). The 
potential for cornice collapse persists on aspects affected by 
strong sunshine.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very sparse below 800 metres. 
Plateau areas retaining reasonable cover.
ICING: Reasonable development on selected routes.
COMMENT: Firm conditions underfoot.
 



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