NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 4/1/05 There have been very strong winds, mild temperatures and rain overnight with a rapid fall in temperature this morning. Although the snow surface has re-frozen a weakness still exists in the snowpack due to a slush layer. The areas affected are mainly North-East through East to Southerly aspects above 900 metres. New accumulations of slab have also formed on sheltered locations of these aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 5/1/05 It will continue to be unsettled with strong South-West winds and further snow showers turning heavier during the morning. New slab will form on steep sheltered North to Easterly aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: More granite than snow exists. ICING: Ice re-forming due to rapid fall in temperature. COMMENT: The roller coaster conditions continue. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 4/1/05 As a result of the thaw followed by falling temperatures the snowpack is generally well bonded. Accumulations of fresh snow are small and localised. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 5/1/05 Strong South West winds and snow showers will form localised areas of windslab on North, North-East and East facing slopes above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remaining old snow is now frozen above 900m. ICING: Freezing level falling to 800m on Wednesday. COMMENT: Remaining windy. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 4/1/05 Colder conditions have stabilised much of the older snowpack. Fresh snow showers and strong winds are forming areas of generally shallow windslab in the most sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are to be found in sheltered summit gullies and on slopes with a North through to Southeasterly aspect. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 5/1/05 New snow and Southwesterly gales throughout the period will continue to form unstable windslab. Greatest accumulations will form on scarp slopes with a North through to Southeasterly aspect and in sheltered summit gullies and hollows. Avalanches are likely where deeper deposits form, in particular on steeper slopes or where old re-frozen snow underlies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800 metres. ICING: Ice starting to form on rocks and paths above 800 metres COMMENT: Outlook a bit more Wintery than of late but still quite windy. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 4/1/05 There was further snow loss overnight but the remaining patchy snow cover is starting to re-freeze. New snow is generally insignificant with greatest amounts of existing snow still to be found on N to E aspects above 900 metres. A few sheltered steeper locations are moderately well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 5/1/05 There will be some prolonged snowfall later in the morning. New accumulations will build in sheltered locations on N to E aspects. Above 900 metres new deposits will be moderately to weakly bonded where they develop over older snow-ice. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Largest areas in high N to E corries. ICING: Some around on crags but quality variable. COMMENT: Another very windy day likely. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 4/1/05 Yet another dramatic thaw has severely diminished existing old snow cover on all aspects above 700 metres. Wet snow instabilities remain in deeper accumulations on steep North-East to South-East aspects. However a cold Westerly front combined with heavy snow showers has begun to form a thin harder crust. Shallow areas of moderately bonded fresh windslab have also formed on North-East to South-East aspects above 800 metres, but these are generally isolated and easy to avoid. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 5/1/05 Snow will continue on gale force South-West winds. The distribution of fresh weakly to moderately bonded windslab will become more widespread onto North through East to South-East aspects above 750 metres. The tops of gullies, sheltered hollows and scarp slopes will be particularly affected and here avalanches are likely, particularly where new snow overlies old. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh cover to 600 metres. ICING: Free water still running on Coire Ardair cliffs. COMMENT: Fresh unstable cornice development will continue above sheltered lee aspects. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------