NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/3/04
A few snow showers occurred with Southerly winds around the 
tops on a cold day.  There has been some snow transport on to 
Northerly aspects. The snowpack where sampled at 1100 metres 
on an Easterly aspect gave very easy shears on the persistent 
facets.  Also noted was new facet development just below a thin 
surface wind crust. The avalanche hazard is Considerable 
(Category 3).  
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/3/04
There will be very light new snow in the continued
cold South-Easterly flow.  Avalanches due to new loading are 
likely on Northerly aspects above 800 metres with some crag
aprons being particularly suspect.  The facet instability
persists on other aspects. The avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Someone pushed the "refresh" 
button; good cover, with rocky areas, off and on piste.
ICING: Quantity limited, quality good.
COMMENT:  The facet 'surprise' still lurking around out 
there.

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/3/04
Strong South-East winds have formed shallow areas of 
unconsolidated snow on sheltered North-West and North 
aspects but accumulations are not significant. Isolated shallow
surface instabilities are present on other aspects, mainly the tops 
of sheltered gullies and steep slopes. Elsewhere the snowpack is 
well frozen and generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/3/04
The cold settled conditions will continue with a strong South-
East airflow. Isolated shallow surface instabilities will be 
present, mainly the tops of sheltered gullies and steep slopes. 
Elsewhere the snowpack will remain frozen and generally 
stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover North and East facing 
corries.
ICING: Cold again for Thursday.
COMMENT: Wind blown slopes will be scoured and hard 
frozen. Ice axe and crampons essential.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/3/04
Cold conditions overnight re-froze much of the snowpack 
maintaining good general stability.  Isolated accumulations of 
moderately bonded crusty windslab remain on steep slopes in 
the most sheltered areas mainly above 1000 metres.  Greatest 
accumulations are in summit gullies and slopes with a North to 
Easterly aspect.  These areas are generally avoidable.  The 
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/3/04
A dry, cold South-Easterly airstream will affect the area.
Little change is expected to the overall condition of the old
snowpack which will remain firm and stable. As winds strengthen
some redistribution of more recent snow will occur forming
pockets of moderately bonded windslab in sheltered gullies and on
slopes with a West to Northerly aspect mainly above 1000 metres.
These areas are not expected to be deep or extensive. 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 600 metres 
COMMENT: Old snow hard and icy in places, crampons and 
axe essential.  Some good climbing conditions but mainly on the 
higher easier routes.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/3/04
Winds from the SE have led to new deposits developing in 
sheltered locations on NW to N aspects. These new areas are 
generally shallow but are not particularly stable. In very limited 
locations on N to NE aspects surface layers remain moderately 
bonded. On SE to SW aspects instabilities persist within deeper 
cooler snow above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/3/04
There will be snow showers on strengthening SE winds. In 
sheltered terrain features such as gullies and scarp slopes on 
NW to N aspects new accumulations will continue to develop. 
Consolidation will be poor where new deposits achieve 
reasonable depth over existing snow. Deeper accumulations on  
SE to SW aspects above 900 metres will remain moderately 
bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 
3). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Improving cover but still thin in 
many areas. 
ICING: Ice quality is good but in limited locations.
COMMENT: Good ski touring higher in Southern Cairngorms.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 10/3/04
There have been some very light intermittent snow showers on a
fresh South-East wind.  Fresh quantities do not pose any 
significant hazard.  The snowpack remains generally well 
bonded and stable on all aspects.  The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 11/3/04
It will remain cold with a trace of new snow falling on a strong
South-East wind.  Quantities are not expected to constitute any
significant hazard and fresh windslab build up will remain
shallow and isolated on West to North aspects above 850  metres.
The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very sparse below 800 metres. High 
corries and plateau retaining reasonable cover.
ICING: Some good ice on selected routes.
COMMENT: Firm conditions underfoot on all aspects.
 



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