NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 21/12/04 During the day winds from the West have been transporting snow into isolated pockets above 900 metres on Easterly slopes. Layers of windslab are present in these places and have released when tests have been carried out. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 22/12/04 Strong South-West winds with continuous moderate snowfall will cross the mountains this evening. There will be significant accumulations of snow above 900 metres on North-Easterly aspects especially in sheltered locations in the lee of the wind. Tomorrow the wind will be from the North- West and accumulations will occur on South-Easterly aspects. Avalanches are likely in the above areas. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover is gradually increasing on the plateau especially on S and E aspects. ICING: Riming is developing on the buttresses and climbing conditions should be improving. COMMENT: With snow forecast and temporary warmer temperatures, the conditions should get better. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 21/12/04 SW winds are continuing to further load sheltered areas with unstable snow. Poorly bonded windslab is present, mainly on steep North, North-East, East and South-East scarp slopes and gully exits above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 22/12/04 Rain at all levels overnight will produce a period of high instability. By Wednesday morning, snow stability will start to improve again although instabilities will still be present on steep North through to South-East aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow is present above 300m although starting to thaw during today. ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits overnight on Tuesday. COMMENT: Strong winds overnight moderating on Wednesday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 21/12/04 A light cover of recent snow exists above 250 metres. In most areas, this cover is lying on top of vegetation and rocks and presents no stability problems. However deeper pockets of snow and hail have formed in the higher sheltered gullies and hollows. Where these accumulations lie on steeper slopes stability is moderate but these areas are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 22/12/04 Snow overnight and strengthening South-Westerly winds will initially form windslab on slopes with a North to East aspect and in sheltered summit gullies above 800 metres. The snowpack stability will be suspect where old hard snow underlies. As the day progresses, milder weather with North-Westerly winds and rain at all levels will saturate and reduce the snowpack. Wet snow instabilities will exist on steeper slopes and gullies where any deeper accumulations of snow are present. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 250m. ICING: Above 300m, but rising in the milder conditions. COMMENT: Higher ridges and buttresses will give some fair conditions but poor outlook for Wednesday. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 21/12/04 There is snow cover from around 600 metres but it is generally thin. Some deeper pockets exist above 900 metres on E aspects. In these isolated locations surface layers are moderately bonded on steeper terrain. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 22/12/04 Overnight there will be a period of increased instability as snow is followed by a significant rise in the freezing level. By morning moderately bonded layers will persist on steeper slopes in sheltered locations on N to E aspects above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover from around 600 metres. ICING: Ice is to be found in many locations but will become subject to thaw conditions. COMMENT: The freezing level will be around 1200m during the day. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 21/12/04 There is a covering of snow at all levels but this is very thin below 800 metres. Some larger patches are present above 900 metres mainly on steep sheltered North to East aspects, some with depths in excess of 2 metres. Drizzle and steadily rising temperatures have moistened the upper layers of the snowpack. Field tests revealed easy to moderate shears in colder snow deeper in the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 22/12/04 Snow showers turning to rain overnight and during Wednesday will bring about a period of poor stability. The areas of main concern will be on steep North to South-East slopes above 900 metres when snow showers turn to rain. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deceptive. Thin general cover at all levels on Tuesday with a few larger patches at higher altitudes. Expected to recede in milder conditions. ICING: A few thin smears of ice on some benchmark ice routes but likely to deteriorate or disappear on Weds. Soft snow just about covers scree in all gully lines. COMMENT: Wet and windy for a time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------