LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 19/1/05 Snow showers have continued with a gradual rising of the freezing level during the day. Unstable windslab is present on many steep slopes with a North through to South-East aspect above 900m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 20/1/05 Snow showers and strong Westerly winds will affect the area. Unstable windslab will continue to form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on North-East to South-East aspects above 900m. Avalanches are likely on scarp slopes and crag aprons. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations on East aspects above 900m. ICING: Freezing level around the summits on Thursday and falling to 900m on Friday. COMMENT: Strong Westerlies on Friday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 19/1/05 It has been a dry and settled day. Snow cover remains thin with localised areas of deeper drifting. These are mainly to be found in sheltered locations on NE to SE aspects above 850 metres. On steeper slopes these dry, layered deposits remain moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 20/1/05 Snow showers and subsequent drifting will rapidly accumulate unstable deposits in very sheltered locations on NE to SE aspects above 800 metres. Stability will be especially poor on steeper terrain where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices will continue to develop. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally very thin with hard old snow in the easier gullies. ICING: Icy underfoot and slowly improving on the crags. COMMENT: Lochnagar is still very lean but climbing conditions have improved. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 19/1/05 The snowpack shows some signs of consolidation at the surface in the milder and moist weather. However sub-surface weak layers still exist in deeper deposits on North through East to South-East aspects above 700 metres. Convex and extreme slopes remain suspect in present conditions with fresh avalanche debris noted from an Easterly convex slope at 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 20/1/05 There will be some general improvement in snowpack stability with slight thaw/freeze cycle. However cooler daytime temperatures and snow showers on very strong Westerly winds will once again build fresh windslab on existing moderately bonded snow deposits on North through East to South aspects above 750 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels, heavy going on ski or foot with thigh deep drifts of porridge. ICING: Slow improvement with fluctuating freezing levels. COMMENT: Large unstable cornices above many sheltered aspects. Cautious route planning advised. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 19/1/05 New snow and windy conditions have continued to affect the area scouring exposed slopes above 800m much of the new snow forming unstable deposits of windslab in sheltered locations. The greatest accumulations of windslab is in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North to SouthEasterly aspect above 800m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 20/1/05 Snow showers will continue overnight and through Thursday accompanied by severe gales from the West. These conditions will continue to scour windward slopes forming drifts and accumulations of windslab in all sheltered gullies and on NE to SE slopes mainly above 800 metres. Bonding will be poor where deep accumulations of windslab have formed on steep slopes especially the tops of gullies and on scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely in these locations. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 800 metres. ICING: Freezing level 900m overnight and 500m on Thursday. COMMENT: Areas of windslab and cornices will require great caution. Buttresses and Ridges are the safer option. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 19/1/05 Very isolated accumulations of windslab are present on North-Easterly aspects above 800 metres. Weaknesses are present in the snowpack and release easily during tests. Tha avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 20/1/05 Overnight, strong winds from the West with snow showers will continue to deposit snow into isolated lee areas on North-East and Easterly aspects above 800 metres. In these locations windslab snow with weak layers will continue to develop. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very barren looking hills with snow in isolated areas - good firm walking on the plateau. ICING: Frosted cliffs with vestiges of hard snow that can be found in nooks and crannies ! COMMENT: The same temperatures to remain for the next few days. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------