NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 5/1/05 Snow on strong South-Westerly winds has fallen above 600 metres during the day. Rapid windslab build-up has occured on North-Easterly aspects above 900 metres especially in lee areas such as corrie headwalls and gullies. In these locations the snow has instabilities. On Northerly through East to Southerly aspects above 900 metres older snow accumulations still contain weaknesses. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 6/1/05 Overnight Westerly winds with snow showers will deposit snow on to Easterly aspects above 300 metres. Rain will fall at Cairngorm summit level during the day and will affect the snowpack. The areas of windslab snow on Northerly to Easterly aspects above 1000 metres will be unstable and avalanches are likely. On South-East through South to South-West aspects the moist snow contains weaknesses. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Where snow has accumulated to depth difficult walking should be expected. ICING: Buttresses are looking whiter with moist snow. COMMENT: The lowering freezing level of today should consolidate the snow. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 5/1/05 Strong South-West winds have continued to form unstable snow mainly on North, North-East and East aspects above 900m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 6/1/05 Snow showers will turn to rain at all levels during Thursday with strong South-West winds. Wet snow avalanches will occur on steep slopes with a North-East and East aspect. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some fresh snow down to 700m. ICING: Freezing levels above the summits on Thursday. COMMENT: Remaining windy. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 5/1/05 Stormy conditions with heavy rain, sleet and snow above 850 metres have been affecting the area. Very strong South-Westerly winds have formed fresh unstable accumulations of snow in sheltered summit gullies and on slopes with a North through to South-Easterly aspect mainly above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 6/1/05 New snow showers overnight and during Thursday morning will turn to heavy rain at all levels around midday. Unstable accumulations of snow will exist in sheltered summit gullies and on slopes with a North through to South-East aspect mainly above 900 metres, where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800 metres. ICING: Freezing level rising to 1500 metres on Thursday. COMMENT: Mild, windy and wet outlook. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 5/1/05 Snow and strong winds have formed windslab in sheltered locations on N to E aspects above 900 metres. In many areas new deposits are falling on bare ground and have yet to achieve a significant depth. On steeper terrain where snow cover is already present stability is poor. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 6/1/05 Further snowfall will turn to rain at all levels by midday. All recent deposits will be destabilised as the freezing level rises and rain soaks the surface layers. Avalanches are likely in steeper sheltered locations on N to E aspects above 900 metres. Many areas have a superficial cover only and this will thaw rapidly in the heavy rain. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remaining patchy with greatest amounts in high N to E facing corries. ICING: Some icing is present but the quality is variable. COMMENT: Significant snow loss expected again! CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 5/1/05 Snow showers on a strong South-West wind have continued above 750 metres. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab is present on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres with scarp slopes below cornices, the tops of gullies and sheltered hollows being most affected. Field tests produced clean easy shears in deposits of up to 50cm and fresh debris from a loose snow avalanche was observed on an Easterly aspect at 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 6/1/05 Snow will continue on strong Westerly winds overnight adding to recent weakly bonded windslab deposits on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Through the day rain at all levels will bring about a period of high instability and avalanches will occur on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Recently formed cornices on above-mentioned aspects will also be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Down to 750 metres, all about to change in the rain? ICING: What little we had is about to end up in the Loch. COMMENT: Time to think about emigrating if you want to get any winter climbing done! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------