NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 13/3/04 The strong winds eased and there has been a gradual warming during the daytime hours. The gradual warming contributed to some settlement and gaining of strength of the snowpack. The deep weakness still shears in field tests and a second easier shear was evident 15 centimetres below surface. Surface sluffing was noted but no deep releases were observed. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/3/04 Periods of snow will be followed by rain above 1000 metres. On all aspects the deep seated weakness will continue to be a concern. Due to the the recent storm instability, mainly on West, North and East aspects above 750 metres, avalanches will occur at the onset of rain. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Crag aprons have incomplete cover with potential for avalanches to run into boulder fields. Still reasonable cover on plateau. ICING: Most ice test pieces are thin and have considerable exposure to avalanches; some mixed routes are better placed. COMMENT: The period of greatest instability will be at the onset of rain. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 13/3/04 Localised areas of unstable windslab are present on many aspects. Main accumulations are on West, North-West and North aspects above 1050m. Small accumulations are also present on some North-East and East aspects, although these are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/3/04 Fresh snow and an increasing S to SW wind are forecast overnight and during Sunday. Fresh areas of unstable snow will form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on steep North, North-East and East aspects above 1000m. Avalanches are likely in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in high N and E facing corries. ICING: Freezing level rising briefly during Sunday. COMMENT: Winds increasing again. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 13/3/04 Light accumulations of fresh snow exist above 850m. These accumulations are not extensive and for most slopes only a dusting. The cold conditions are generally maintaining a stable snowpack. The South-Easterly winds have formed isolated accumulations of moderately bonded windslab on steep slopes and in sheltered areas mainly above 950 metres. Greatest accumulations are forming in summit gullies and on slopes with a West to Northerly aspect. These areas are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/3/04 Above 850m snow showers and gale force South-Westerly winds will affect the area. The old snowpack will remain firm and generally stable. Weakly bonded windslab will form and accumulate in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North-West to North-Easterly aspect mainly above 850 metres. Avalanches and cornice collapse are likely as the freezing level rises to around 1000m. 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 500 metres COMMENT: New snow will be weakly bonded to the old icy snowpack. Rain below 700m. Becoming more settled on Sunday afternoon. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 13/3/04 Stability of windslab on W through N to NE aspects above 850 metres has continued to improve slowly. However,in some locations it is moderately to weakly bonded particularly where it overlies older snow in sheltered locations. Graupel was found within the snowpack at the pit profile site. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/3/04 Heavy snowfall will be accompanied by very strong winds and a rapid rise in the freezing level in the afternoon. New weakly bonded deposits will build on W through N to NE aspects above 700 metres. These already unstable accumulations will be subject to thaw conditions later in the day and avalanches will occur. Cornices will be prone to collapse and provide additional hazard. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Heavy snow will help cover but thawing later. ICING: Ice is good but thaw will begin later in day. COMMENT: A very poor day on the hill likely. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 13/3/04 Light snow showers on moderate South-West winds. Isolated pockets of fresh windslab still exist on steep West to North aspects above 900 metres. Slightly milder temperatures are improving surface stability but field tests showed moderate stability in drier sub-surface layers. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/3/04 Snow showers on an increasing gale force South-West wind will begin to form fresh moderately bonded windslab on North to East aspects above 850 metres. The tops of gullies, scarp slopes below cornices and hollows will be particularly affected. As snow turns to rain later in the period the potential for wet snow instabilities will arise and wet snow avalanches are likely from steep North to East aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover above 800 metres. ICING: Good build up on some selected classics. COMMENT: The potential for cornice collapse will arise as snow turns to rain in the afternoon. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------