LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 26/12/04 Localised areas of unstable windslab are present. Greatest accumulations are at the tops of steep East, South-East and South facing slopes and gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 27/12/04 Milder conditions will become established overnight with heavy rain by Monday morning. Wet snow avalanches will occur mainly on steep East, South-East and South facing slopes and gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). As Monday progresses, the stability of the existing snowpack will gradually improve. Cornices will become unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels today (Sunday). ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits overnight and during Monday. COMMENT: Winds increasing again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 26/12/04 New 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 MON 27/12/04 Milder conditions with rain at all levels during Sunday night and through Monday. This will lead to very wet snow instabilities on all slopes at all levels. Avalanches are likely especially where deep snow accumulations exist on steep slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 50m. ICING: Starting to reform above 300m. COMMENT: Forecast for mild wet and windy conditions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 26/12/04 Some consolidation of the snowpack has occurred during the day, although new snow instabilities are evident from recent avalanche debris noted above 800m on South-Easterly aspects in Coire nan Gall. Some cornice development also exists on North to South-East aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 27/12/04 Milder conditions overnight and on Tues with moderate rain will result in wet snow instabilities. Avalanches are likely where recent accumulations have developed on steep North to South- Easterly slopes and gully tops. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels with some deep drifting on approach paths. ICING: Basic winter lines evident on faces but only very limited ice at highest elevations (likely to become more limited in thaw conditions!) COMMENT: Skis or snow shoes a useful option for access to Coire Ardair - if foot soldiering head torch a necessary bit of kit! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 26/12/04 Overnight snow showers have added to the unstable windslab that is present in sheltered locations on NE through to S aspects above 900 metres. Deposits are cold and dry with multiple layers that are poorly bonded to each other. Newly formed cornices are present. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 27/12/04 Snow will rapidly turn to rain as the freezing level rises to above all summits. Rain and thaw conditions will provide additional loading causing failure of the weak bonds within the snowpack. Avalanches are likely in steeper sheltered locations on NE through to S aspects above 900 metres. Newly formed cornices will be prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Significant reduction of superficial cover expected on Monday. ICING: Subject to thaw conditions from Sunday evening. COMMENT: Careful route choice required. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 26/12/04 Cold conditions have continued with light snow showers on moderate North-Westerly winds. On a South-East aspect at 1100 metres shooting cracks appeared across the slope. In the same location tests showed weak layers within the snow-pack with a faceted crystal layer 120cm down due to strong temperature gradients. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 27/12/04 It will turn milder overnight with moderate rain at all levels on strong South-Westerly winds. Avalanches are likely due to thaw conditions and the weak faceted layer which will remain in the deeper accumulations of snow. The areas affected will be mainly on North-East through East to Southerly aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels with deep accumulations above 700m mainly on E and S aspects ICING: Little ice exists but conditions may improve with cooler air following the thaw. COMMENT: The mild conditions are just a breif glitch in the mountains. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------