NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 10/1/05 There have been strong South-Westerly winds with rain at all levels. The snowpack is continuing to thaw and where deep accumulations lie mainly on North-West through North to Easterly aspects above 950 metres some weakly bonded dry layers remain. Elsewhere the snow is well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 11/1/05 Mild temperatures will continue with strong South-Westerly winds and heavy rain. The snowpack will become saturated. Isolated instabilities will exist where deep accumulations lie mainly on steep North-West through North to Easterly aspects above 950 metres, elsewhere remaining deposits will be generally well bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy with main accumulations high up on NE aspects. ICING: There isn't any. COMMENT: Winds to increase during the day with gusts over 100mph. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 10/1/05 Following a thaw during Sunday night the snowpack is gradually consolidating at all levels. Some localised areas of moderate instability still exist on steep slopes above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 11/1/05 Light overnight snow showers with strong South-West winds will deposit localised areas of windslab on North-East, East and South-East aspects above 900m. As temperatures rise during Tuesday, rain is expected at all levels. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations high up in East facing corries. Patchy elsewhere. ICING: Freezing levels rising above the summits during Tuesday. COMMENT: High winds expected later on Tuesday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 10/1/05 Drier cooler conditions than of late have consolidated most of the remaining snowpack. Some wet snow instabilities remain on the steepest of slopes and gullies. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 11/1/05 Precipitation may initially fall as snow showers on the highest tops on Monday night before turning to heavy rain at all levels by morning. Accumulations of new snow are not expected to be deep. General snowpack stability will remain good on all but the steepest slopes where wet snow instabilities will remain. Areas most affected will be summit gullies and North to East facing slopes above 900 metres. Avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly in highest North and East facing corries. ICING: Freezing level rising to 1600 metres on Tuesday. COMMENT: Poor outlook for much of Tuesday, mild wet and very windy but getting cooler by evening with possibility of snow showers. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 10/1/05 The thaw conditions have continued to deplete the snowpack overnight. Instabilities remain in only a few very steep locations on N to E aspects above 900 metres. Avalanche debris was noted at the bottom of several Lochnagar gullies. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 11/1/05 Another wet and windy period will not alter the current snow conditions. Any overnight snow on the high summits will be followed by heavy rain at all levels. The remaining snow, which is mainly on N to E aspects above 900 metres, will continue to be saturated but generally stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mostly in N to E corries with a few deeper patches left. ICING: Nothing of note observed. COMMENT: Lochnagar crags are mostly black but some gullies are holding on to cover. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 10/1/05 Very mild and wet weather triggered several avalanches on steep East aspects at 1000 metres late on Sunday and during the early hours of Monday. Debris was noted from four sizeable wet slab and loose snow avalanches on Beinn a Chaorainn's East face. There was a dusting of snow around summits late on Monday but cooler, generally drier conditions have begun to stabilise the snowpack in most locations. The avalanche hazard is now Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 11/1/05 The snowpack will again receive additional weight and lubrication as mild and very wet weather returns overnight and on Tuesday. The main accumulations of snow on North through East to South aspects will become thoroughly wet and only marginally stable by the end of the day. Deposits of most recent snow on steep East aspects above 800 metres that are overhung by remaining cornices will be of particular concern. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and there will be some potential for full depth avalanches on very steep ground above 750 metres. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at most altitudes. ICING: Remains poor. COMMENT: Poor mountain conditions forecasted right through Tuesday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------