NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/1/05 Strong North-Westerly winds with snowfall have resulted in deep accumulations in lee areas on Easterly to Southerly aspects above 900 metres. In these areas the snow is weakly bonded and avalanches have been triggered during tests. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/1/05 Snowfall is expected to continue overnight with cold temperatures and strong winds from the West. Further windslab accumulations will develop on North-Easterly through East to Southerly aspects above 600 metres: in these areas the snowpack will be weakly bonded and avalanches are likely. During the day the freezing level will rise to above the summits and warmer temperatures will affect the weak snowpack further. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Firm icy snow on the plateau with waist deep accumulations in lee areas. ICING: Colder temperatures should be developing the climbing conditions well. COMMENT: Warmer temperatures are expected. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/1/05 Snow showers and strong Westerly winds have deposited areas of windslab in sheltered areas and particularly on slopes with a North-East, East and South-East aspect above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). New cornices are unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/1/05 Snow showers over Sunday night with strong Westerly winds will be followed on Monday by heavy rain at all levels. The snowpack will become increasingly unstable. Avalanches will occur on steep slopes with a North-East, East and South-East aspect above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow will start to thaw rapidly as rain arrives on Monday. ICING: Freezing level rising to 1800m on Monday. COMMENT: The end of winter again? GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/1/05 North-Westerly gales and snow showers have formed areas of windslab mainly around the tops of East to Southerly slopes and in sheltered summit gullies. Exposed slopes have been scoured by the very strong blustery airflow. On steep slopes and especially around the tops of gullies where old re-frozen snow underlies windslab stability is suspect. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/1/05 New snow overnight will turn to heavy rain during the course of Monday as freezing levels rise to 1800 metres. As the heavy rain affects the area a period of instability will occur when avalanches are likely. Areas most affected will be sheltered summit gullies and slopes with a North East through to Southerly aspect mainly above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 600m. ICING: Freezing levels well above summits on Monday. COMMENT: Outlook mild wet and windy. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/1/05 Strong winds have scoured exposed slopes, transporting the new deposits into sheltered locations on mainly NE to SE aspects. Though generally avoidable, accumulations are locally deep and unstable, with pronounced terrain features holding greatest amounts. New cornices are starting to form. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/1/05 Overnight snow showers will turn to rain during the day. As the thaw becomes established, all new deposits will become increasingly unstable. Avalanches are likely in steeper sheltered locations on mainly NE to SE aspects. Gullies, scarp slopes and steep burns will be most affected. New cornices will be prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Many slopes have been scoured, with localised drifts present on NE to SE aspects. ICING: Ice that has been insulated by the snow is only partially frozen. Icy conditions underfoot on many paths. COMMENT: New deposits will once again thaw rapidly with only deeper drifts remaining. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/1/05 The overnight now showers which continued for much of Sunday have resulted in fresh accumulations of snow. Some of these deposits have developed as windslab on sheltered North- East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Field tests showed new snow inslabitities of these most recent deposits. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/1/05 Further overnight snow showers will give way to milder conditions with rain on Monday, this will result in poor stability of most recent deposits. Avalanches are likely on steepest North-East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light general cover with isolated drifting on access paths. ICING: Remaining poor. COMMENT: More settled wintry conditions needed before winter sporting opportunities can develop. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------