LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 6/1/05 Strong South Westerly winds and a freezing level above the summits have resulted in significant wet snow instabilities mainly on steep North-East, East and South-East aspects above 950m.The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 7/1/05 The thaw conditions will continue overnight with rain at all levels and strong South Westerly winds. The snowpack will generally consolidate at all levels and stability will improve. The wet snow hazard will generally be restricted to steep North-East, East and South-East aspects above 1000m.The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels ICING: Freezing level above the summits COMMENT: Warm and wet, remaining windy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 6/1/05 Thaw conditions have yet to become fully established. Generally the snow cover is thin but localised deeper deposits exist in very sheltered locations on N to E aspects above 900 metres. In these deeper accumulations the snow remains dry and moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 7/1/05 It will be a very mild and wet night. By morning sleet or possibly snow will fall on the very highest summits only with rain expected at most altitudes. Shallow deposits will be wet but generally stable. In steeper sheltered locations on N to E aspects above 900 metres deeper accumulations will be moderately bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remaining patchy with greatest amounts in high N to E facing corries. ICING: Subject to thaw conditions at all levels. COMMENT: Overnight conditions will cause significant thawing of superficial cover. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 6/1/05 Rain at all levels on the strong South-Westerly winds has affected the snow pack. Limited snow accumulations lie on slopes of North to North-East and South-West to Southerly aspects above 900 metres. The windslab snow has become more dense and heavy. Where it overlies the older hard snowpack weaknesses have been observed. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 7/1/05 Rain is to continue overnight at all levels with the freezing level just above the Summits throughout the day. The wind will be from the South-West and will deposit snow at around 1100 metres in altitude. This will accumulate on North-Easterly aspects in lee areas on Corrie rims and ridges. On North and North-East slopes above 900 metres the dense and wet windslab lying on old hard surfaces will become weaker. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow is wet and remains largely on lee aspects. ICING: Wet and falling apart. COMMENT: Colder conditions are forecast. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 6/1/05 New snow overnight has now turned to very heavy rain at all levels. Wet snow instabilities are present on steep slopes above 900 metres. Areas most affected are sheltered summit gullies and scarp slopes with a North to South East aspect.The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 7/1/05 Precipitation will fall mainly as heavy rain at all levels throughout the period with the possibility of sleet on the highest tops at times on Friday. The snowpack will be soft and wet at all levels. General stability will be good on all but the steepest slopes where some wet snow instabilities will remain. Areas most affected will be sheltered summit gullies and scarp slopes with a North to East aspect mainly above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Retreating rapidly on Thursday. ICING: Very mild overnight, freezing level 1300 metres on Friday. COMMENT: Sleet possible on the highest tops. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 6/1/05 Just when we thought it could not get any wetter! Heavy rain overnight continued during Thursday. This resulted in a very moist and saturated snowpack. The thaw conditions produced loose wet snow slides above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 7/1/05 Rain will continue on strong Westerly winds overnight and further saturate the remaining snowpack. Snow is forecast for later on Friday with accumulations expected on highest ground only. This will result in some marginally stable windslab development on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Any remaining cornices on above-mentioned aspects will also be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy, cover down to 800m ICING: Lots of water about if it freezes! COMMENT: A major opportunity exists for all you gear manufactures out there: gales and horizontal rain at 200m, gales and horizontal sleet at 500m, gales and horizontal snow/ice at 1000m. Come on then send us your kit - we'll tell you if it works! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------