NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 16/1/05 Rain turned to light snow above 1000 metres for a short time this morning on South-Westerly winds. The snow was mainly wet with insignificant new loading. At 1090 metres on a North-East aspect tests showed a deep-seated weakness in the snowpack. These instabilities are very localised and exist where accumulations are deep on the above mentioned areas. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 17/1/05 Snow showers overnight will turn heavier during the day on strong South-West winds. New weakly bonded slab will form on sheltered North to East aspects above 900 metres. Elsewhere the snowpack will be generally well bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some large patches on NE to SE aspects, but generally bare. ICING: Extremely limited. COMMENT: Back to winter again tomorrow. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 16/1/05 A return to slightly cooler conditions last night has started to firm up the existing wet snowpack. A very light snow shower at lunchtime has not produced any significant accumulations. The snowpack is generally well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 17/1/05 Snow showers and strong SW winds will produce fresh areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on scarp slopes and crag aprons with a North, North-East and East aspect above 900m. Avalanches are likely where these fresh accumulations overlie older snow. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain on East aspects above 900m. ICING: Freezing at all levels during Monday. COMMENT: Summit winds increasing by Monday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 16/1/05 Mainly dry and cooler conditions earlier today are consolidating the moist snowpack which is mainly to be found in the higher North and East facing corries and gullies. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 17/1/05 A very cold and strong South-Westerly airflow will bring snow showers overnight which will become frequent and heavy on Monday. Windslab will form in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North to Easterly aspect. Bonding of windslab will be poor where it accumulates to any significant depth on steeper slopes or where older snow-ice underlies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Higher corries and gullies. ICING: Will start to re-form as freezing levels come down to 200 metres on Monday. COMMENT: Winter returns, very windy outlook. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 16/1/05 The wet and windy weather continues to thaw snow at all levels. The remaining patchy snow is wet but generally stable. Largest amounts are to be found on NE to SE aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 17/1/05 There will be a return to cooler conditions with snow showers throughout the period. New accumulations will be found in sheltered locations on N to E aspects above 900 metres. These deposits will be moderately to weakly bonded where they have some depth and overlie the older snow-ice. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will start to reform. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy wet snow. Largest amounts are to be found on N through E to SE aspects. ICING: None around but starting to cool again. COMMENT: Snow showers throughout the period. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 16/1/05 A mainly dry day with freezing levels remaining just above the summits. The snowpack is slowly stabalising on all aspects above 750 metres aided by slightly cooler temperatures with main accumulations being found on North to East aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 17/1/05 A colder, prolonged period of heavy snow on gale force South- West winds will form fresh windslab on North-West through North to South-East aspects above 700 metres. Deposits will at first affect sheltered gullies, hollows and steep scarp slopes before becoming more widespread and deeper later in the day. Stability of fresh windslab is expected to be poor with only moderate bonding to existing old snowpack. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Fresh unstable cornices will form on steep North to East aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snowfall at all levels through the day. ICING: Whats left is rotten and about to be buried. COMMENT:Snow expected to be showery, but frequent and heavy at times. Here we go again! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------