NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 11/3/04 There have been significant snow accumulations on Northerly aspects with foot penetrations of up to 40 centimetres. Although South aspects have been scoured to some degree by the strong winds there is still the weak layer below the thick very dense melt-freeze crust that also persists on East and West aspects. The new snow shears very easily on low angle terrain. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 12/3/04 Further snow showers are forecast. These will be more intense and prolonged on higher ground. Avalanches will occur due to new storm snow instability on North aspects above 750 metres. The persistent weak layer is still evident on other aspects where avalanches will occur with low additional load. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Making up for the late start to winter. ICING: Restricted observations due to poor visibility and limited safe access. COMMENT: We are still waiting for nature to strengthen the weak layer and now there is added storm load. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 11/3/04 Strong SE winds and light snow showers have formed fresh areas of moderately to poorly bonded windslab. This windslab is localised in distribution and generally confined to sheltered West, North-West and North aspects above 1000m. Some small accumulations also exist on North-East and East aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). In other locations, the snowpack is generally stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 12/3/04 Strong SE winds will continue with increasing fresh snow. Unstable windslab will become more widespread as the day progresses. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered West, North-West and North aspects above 1000m. Localised accumulations will also be present on North-East and East aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in high N and E facing corries. ICING: Good ice above 600m. COMMENT: Very strong SE winds during Friday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 11/3/04 Cold conditions are maintaining good general stability of much of the snowpack. Strong South-Easterly winds and a light cover of new snow have produced isolated accumulations of moderately bonded windslab on steep slopes in the most sheltered areas mainly above 1000 metres. Greatest accumulations are forming in summit gullies and slopes with a West to Northerly aspect. Numerous small spindrift avalanches observed today on these aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 12/3/04 A cold very strong South-Easterly airstream will affect the area. The old snowpack where exposed will remain firm and will be stable. Light snow showers will fall overnight with a more prolonged band of snow on Friday morning. During this period weakly bonded windslab will rapidly accumulate in sheltered gullies of many aspects and on slopes with a West to Northerly aspect mainly above 900 metres. Avalanches and cornice collapse are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). 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. Very windy outlook. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 11/3/04 The strengthening winds from the SE were accompanied by prolonged snow showers. Unstable deposits have developed in sheltered locations on W through N to NE aspects above 850 metres. Cover is generally shallow but where deeper deposits have developed over existing snow stability is poor. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 12/3/04 Snow showers will continue to fall on strong SE winds. The build up of unstable areas will continue on W to NE aspects above 850 metres. Poor stability will be found in steeper sheltered locations such as gullies and scarp slopes where avalanches are likely. 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: Another poor day on the hill is expected. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 11/3/04 Some light snow showers on strong South-East winds have led to fresh windslab development on West to North aspects above 800 metres. Although stability is poor where fresh windslab has formed on top of old icy snow, deposits are shallow, isolated and generally easily avoided. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 12/3/04 Heavy snow showers on gale force South-East winds will lead to continued fresh windslab development on West to North aspects above 800 metres. Stability will become increasingly poor as fresh slab builds on top of old icy snow deposits and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Fresh unstable cornices will also begin to form on steep lee slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally very patchy with a fresh dusting at all levels. ICING: Good to moderate build up on most popular classics. COMMENT: Triggering of fresh windslab deposits may be possible with low additional loads. Good route planning advised. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------