NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/1/05 The strong North-West winds have backed to the South-West. It has remained dry and temperatures have risen but remained below zero on the summits. Deep accumulations of slab remain on North- East to South-East aspects above 950 metres. Where tested at this altitude on an Easterly aspect a weakness still exists within the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/1/05 There will be a rise in temperature with heavy rain on strong Southerly winds. The snowpack will thaw and begin to consolidate at all levels. Where deep accumulations lie mainly on steep North-East to South-East aspects above 950 metres localised instabilities will exist. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally a thin cover of snow with some deep accumulations. ICING: Easy angled snow-ice and ice exists, buttresses thinly covered and gullies very incomplete. COMMENT: A mild wet day forecast. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/1/05 Warmer temperatures overnight and during Friday have started to consolidate the existing areas of unstable snow. Localised instabilities are still present mainly on steep North, North-East and East aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/1/05 Heavy rain and warm summit temperatures will continue to thaw and consolidate the snowpack at all levels. Localised instabilities will persist mainly on steep North, North-East and East aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Any remaining cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations on East facing slopes ICING: Freezing level remaining above the summits. COMMENT: Hazard of falling ice and rocks on steeper ground. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/1/05 There have been light snow showers this morning with some heavier falls expected before turning to rain later. Milder conditions are moistening the snowpack which is generally stable on all but the steepest slopes where recent accumulations of soft snow exist. Areas most affected are sheltered gullies and slopes with a Northerly and Easterly aspect above 900 metres in particular where old snow underlies. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/1/05 Mild conditions will give heavy rain at all levels which will reduce and saturate the snowpack. Avalanches are likely particularly on steeper slopes where recent accumulations of snow exist. Hazard will be greatest on steep scarp slopes with a Northerly to Easterly aspect and in sheltered areas such as gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Above 600 metres on Friday but rising overnight. ICING: Freezing level rising to 1500 metres. COMMENT: Mild and wet outlook. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/1/05 There have been some light snow showers but they have added little to the existing snow cover. Temperatures remained below freezing at 900 metres and dry, layered deposits still exist on NE to SE aspects at this altitude. In sheltered locations accumulations are deep and remain moderately to weakly bonded on steeper ground. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/1/05 Heavy rain and thaw conditions will produce a period of increased instability overnight. By morning surface layers will be wet but dry snow will persist in deeper deposits on NE to SE aspects above 900 metres. These deposits will be moderately bonded on steeper ground. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Any remaining cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mostly wind scoured with deeper drifts on NE to SE aspects. Old snow on N aspects. ICING: Heavy rain and 1500 metres freezing level. COMMENT: Thawing cornices should be avoided. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 14/1/05 Up to 40cms of recent windslab lies on steep North-East to South-East aspects but is limited to sheltered locations above 800 metres. Field tests revealed easy shears in some near- surface layers. Strong Southerly winds during Friday scoured pre-existing snow and re-deposited it as thin, soft windslab at the tops of some North-West to North-facing scarp slopes above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 15/1/05 Another thaw, with heavy rain, will induce a period of poor stability. Most affected areas will be steep North-East to South-East aspects above 800 metres that hold recently-formed windslab and here avalanches are likely. Some wet sluffing is also possible on very steep North to North-West slopes above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow lying down to 600m on Friday with significant drifts above 750m. Heavy thaw forecast. ICING: Modest and further decline expected. COMMENT: Heaviest rain on Friday night then later on Saturday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------