NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 24/12/04 Heavy snow showers overnight and during the day have led to accumulations of new snow on Easterly aspects. Where tested on a North-East aspect at 1125 metres the slab released easily on the old harder layer. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 25/12/04 There will be snow showers on strong North-Westerly winds. Significant accumulations of slab will continue to build in sheltered areas mainly on East to South-East facing slopes above 900 metres. Gully exits and scarp slopes will also be affected on these aspects. Avalanches are likely in these areas. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Large areas of snow developing on the plateau. ICING: Thin with white buttresses. COMMENT: Reindeer seen grazing by the roadside but no sign of Santa! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 24/12/04 Colder conditions and snow showers have produced localised unstable snow accumulations. These accumulations are generally restricted to the tops of North-East, East and South- East facing slopes and gullies above 1000m, notably where there is older snow underneath. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 25/12/04 Snow showers and strong NW winds are expected overnight and during Christmas Day. Unstable windslab will continue to form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be at the tops of North-East, East and South-East facing slopes and gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh dusting at all levels. ICING: All wind scoured old snow patches are frozen. COMMENT: Happy White Christmas! GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 24/12/04 Heavy snow showers at all levels the greatest accumulations are in sheltered areas above 600m. Soft layered windslab has started to form on N through to SE facing slopes and in all sheltered gullies mainly above 800m. These new snow accumulations are weakly bonded especially on steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 25/12/04 Snow showers will continue to affect the area with strong NW winds. Accumulations of windslab will continue build up on N through to SE facing slopes and in all sheltered gullies above 800m. Where deep accumulations of windslab have formed the snowpack stability will be suspect and avalanches are likely mainly on steeper slopes and in gullies. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 100m. ICING: Starting to reform above 500m. COMMENT: Buttresses and Ridges offer the best climbing options with the new snow cover. *** MERRY CHRISTMAS*** SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 24/12/04 There has been a light covering of snow from valley level. It has very little depth but in sheltered locations on NE to SE aspects above 900 metres some deeper accumulations have formed. These areas are generally avoidable but where these new deposits have formed on steeper slopes over older snow-ice they are moderately bonded. The avalanche is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 25/12/04 Snow showers together with strong winds will continue to develop accumulations on mainly NE to SE aspects. Stability of deeper deposits will be poor particularly on steeper slopes where avalanches are likely. New unstable cornices will begin to form. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover from 600 metres. ICING: What's left is starting to re-freeze. COMMENT: Likely to be a poor day on the hill. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 24/12/04 Colder overnight temperatures and snow showers which continued for much of the day have resulted in a light general cover of fresh snow at all levels. Some new snow instabilities exist primarily on North to South-East aspects above 950m where new deposits lie on old snow. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 25/12/04 Further snow showers overnight and on Saturday accompanied by strong West to North West winds will result in additional windslab development primarily on North-East to South-East slopes and gullies: the avalanche hazard will increase to Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light general cover, more cosmetic than useable. ICING: Still poor. COMMENT: Some way to go but at least starting to look pretty! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------