NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25/12/04 Cold conditions with snow showers on strong North-Westerly winds have caused fresh accumulations on mainly East and South aspects. Some deep accumulations remain on mainly North-East facing corrie headwalls above 900 metres. Extreme temperature gradients exist in sub-surface snow layers leading to instability particularly where the new snow layers overlie old snow-ice. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 26/12/04 Early snow showers will die out during the day. Instabilities will remain on North-East through East to Southerly aspects above 900 metres. Due to new snow instabilities and the presence of weak faceted crystals, avalanches are likely where accumulations are substantial. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Later in the period milder conditions with rain will affect the snowpack. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels, with new deposits above 700 metres on mainly E and S aspects. ICING: What little exists is likely to disappear in thaw. COMMENT: A respite from the bitter conditions in view. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25/12/04 Snow showers and strong W-NW winds have further loaded sheltered areas with unstable windslab. Greatest accumulations are at the tops of sheltered North-East through to South facing slopes and gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 26/12/04 Snow showers and strong NW winds will continue through out the period. Localised areas of unstable snow will continue to form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be at the tops of sheltered North-East through to South facing slopes and gullies above 1000m. Avalanches are likely in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels. ICING: Freezing level rising to 900m on Sunday afternoon. COMMENT: Winds moderating on Sunday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25/12/04 New snow showers have occurred 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 SUN 26/12/04 Light snow showers will 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. Milder conditions are expected during the afternoon with snow showers turning to rain. This will lead to further snowpack instabilities below 800m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 50m. ICING: Starting to reform above 300m. COMMENT: Buttresses and ridges offer the best climbing options with the new snow cover. *** MERRY CHRISTMAS*** SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25/12/04 A few snow showers and strong winds have continued to develop areas of windslab. These areas are still limited to sheltered locations mainly on NE to SE aspects above 900 metres. Stability is poor on steep slopes. The avalanche is Considerable (Category 3). Areas exposed to the strong winds are scoured. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 26/12/04 There will be some further snow showers but the strong winds will ease. Areas of deeper unstable snow will remain on mainly NE to SE aspects above 900 metres. Where accumulations exist over older snow-ice they will be moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deeper drifts from 600 metres. ICING: Nothing useful observed. COMMENT: Worth keeping an eye on temperatures. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25/12/04 A sequence of snow showers on West to North-West winds have brought about new, poorly-stabilised windslab deposits on most steep North through to South-East aspects. Field tests revealed easy shears, particulary in near-surface layers. The avalanche hazard remains Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 26/12/04 Poor snow stability will prevail throughout Boxing Day. Wintry conditions with snow showers on North-West winds will continue until the onset of milder, wetter weather when avalanches are likely on North through to South-East slopes and gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels on Christmas Day. Deeper drifts in many places. ICING: Some slight improvement in colder temperatures but in general remaining poor. COMMENT: Poorest stability expected as snow turns to rain later on Boxing Day. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------