NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 18/1/05
Snow showers with very strong winds from the West and North-West
have deposited windslab accumulations into very localised lee
areas on Easterly to South-Easterly slopes above 600 metres. In
these areas the snowpack contains weaknesses that released easily
during tests. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 19/1/05
Snow showers with winds from the North-West and West will
continue overnight and during the day. Snow will continue to be
deposited into localised lee areas on Easterly to South-Easterly
slopes above 600 metres. In these areas of weakly bonded windslab
snow avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Isolated snow patches throughout.
ICING: Cold but with still with bare crags.
COMMENT: Most of the snowfall has missed the Cairngorm area.

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 18/1/05
Fresh snow and strong Southerly winds have formed large areas of
unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations
are on sheltered North, North-East and East facing slopes and
gullies above 900m. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 19/1/05
Further snow showers and strong NW winds overnight will be
replaced by slightly warmer conditions during Wednesday. Large
areas of unstable snow will be present on many aspects above
900m. Greatest accumulations will be North-East, East and
South-East aspects, notably on scarp slopes and crag aprons,
where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High
(Category 4).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels.
ICING: Freezing level around 500m on Tuesday but rising to 
summit level during Wednesday.
COMMENT: Winds easing on Wednesday.
 


GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 18/1/05
New snow and very windy conditions have scoured exposed slopes of
much of the new snow forming unstable deposits of windslab in
sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations of windslab are in
sheltered gullies and on slopes with North through to
South-Easterly aspects above 800m. The avalanche hazard is
Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 19/1/05
Snow showers will continue overnight and through Wednesday, heavy
at times. Severe gales from the North-West becoming West will
continue to scour windward slopes forming deep drifts and
accumulations of windslab in all sheltered gullies and on
North-East through to Southerly slopes mainly above 800 metres.
Bonding will be poor where deep accumulations of windslab form on
steep slopes and where older snow ice underlies. Avalanches are
likely in these locations.  The avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow lying 50 metres.
ICING: Freezing level 600m overnight and 900m on 
Wednesday.
COMMENT: Areas of windslab and cornices will require great 
caution. Buttresses and ridges are the safer option.
Becoming milder through Wednesday


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 18/1/05
Snow showers on strong winds have produced a generally thin cover
with localised areas of drifting from valley level. Sheltered
locations on N through E to SE aspects hold quantities of
unstable windslab. These dry, layered deposits are poorly bonded
and shear easily. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category
3). Cornices have started to reform.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 19/1/05
Further snow showers will continue the development of unstable
areas of windslab. Stability will remain poor particularly in
sheltered locations on N through E to SE aspects above 800
metres, where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A wintry appearance but cover is 
light with some deeper drifts.
ICING: Nothing useful observed but water is starting to 
refreeze.
COMMENT: Becoming slightly milder later in afternoon.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 18/1/05
A period of heavy snowfall and strong Westerly winds have led 
to widespread deep windslab development on North through 
East to South aspects above 550 metres. Field tests produced 
very easy clean shears with numerous sub-surface weak layers 
found in deposits of upto 150cm. Avalanche debris was also 
noted at 700 metres on a South-East aspect from a natural slab 
event. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 19/1/05
Snow showers overnight and through the day on strong Westerly
winds. Snow transport will continue to load North through East to
South aspects above 600 metres with moderately to weakly bonded
windslab. Avalanches will occur in these areas.  Sub-surface weak
layers will persist and triggering will be probable with low
additional loads. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category
4).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Hard going on skis or on foot in
thigh deep uncosolidated drifts at all levels.
ICING: Slow improvement likely with possible thaw-freeze
cycle. Deeply buried at the moment.
COMMENT: Large unstable cornice development above steep 
lee aspects. Cautious route planning advised.




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