NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 1/1/05 Rain has fallen on the summits for most of the day with the strong South-Westerly winds. In late afternoon the snow level has fallen to 650 metres. Where accumulations exist on North-East through East to South-Easterly aspects above 900 metres a weak layer of facets remain. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 2/1/05 Overnight snow showers are expected with strong winds from the North-West. The snow will fall to 500 metres in altitude. Avalanches are likely in the accumulations of unstable windslab which will develop on South-Easterly aspects in sheltered locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally a thin snow cover with accumulations of wet snow overlying hard snow patches. ICING: Black buttresses in the morning have become white in the late afternoon. COMMENT: Lots of wet snow on the cliffs would produce good climbing if it freezes. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 1/1/05 Rain and high temperatures have produced a wet and relatively stable snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Any remaining cornices may be unstable. Later in the afternoon, some snow showers have started to form fresh areas of windslab, but at the time of issue accumulations were not significant. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 2/1/05 Heavy snow showers are expected tonight and during Sunday. Windslab is expected to form at the tops of North-East, East, South-East and South facing slopes and other sheltered locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh dusting of snow above 650m later on Saturday afternoon. ICING: Remaining cold for at least 24 hours! COMMENT: Happy New Year GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 1/1/05 A very wet and windy day brings fresh accumulations of snow above 850m. The greatest accumulation of snow is in the higher Northern and Eastern corries mainly in sheltered gullies and hollows. On steep slopes and especially around the tops of gullies some wet snow instabilities exist. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 2/1/05 There will be strong WNW winds and heavy snow showers above 300m. New accumulations of windslab will form on North through to SE aspects and in all sheltered gullies above 750m. These new areas will be unstable and weakly bonded especially on steep slopes and the exits at the top of gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 850m. ICING: Should start again soon. COMMENT: Should become very wintry improving climbing conditions. Ridges and Buttresses the safer option. ***** HAPPY NEW YEAR ***** SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 1/1/05 There has been a dusting of new snow above 900 metres but surface layers have now been thoroughly moistened by heavy rain. The patchy snow is generally well bonded with largest areas to be found on North to East aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 2/1/05 Strong winds and snow showers throughout the period will form unstable accumulations in sheltered locations on mainly North- East to South-East aspects. Where these new deposits acquire depth bonding will be poor, especially in steeper locations when a snow-ice base is present. Areas most likely to be affected are scarp slopes, gully exits and steep burns above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover is very patchy with largest areas on N to E facing slopes. ICING: Only limited remnants. COMMENT: Difficult mountain conditions expected on Sunday. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 1/1/05 Ther has been heavy rain with sleet and snow around summits on gale force Westerly winds. Upper layers of the patchy snowpack have become soft and saturated. Steep North-East to South-East aspects above 850 metres remain suspect in continuing mild, wet conditions. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 2/1/05 As freezing levels drop to 500 metres and rain turns to snow on gale force Westerly winds fresh windslab will rapidly build on North through East to South-East aspects above 750 metres. Windslab distribution will become more widespread through the day. Only moderate bonding is likely in deeper deposits found in sheltered gullies, hollows and on steep corrie rims of the above mentioned aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Fresh cornice development will continue above steep sheltered aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy but due to improve. ICING: Remaining very poor in thaw conditions. COMMENT: Recommend steep hill, head wind and heavy rain in your face for a speedy hangover cure! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------