NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 20/1/05 Strong winds from the West and North-West with snow showers have deposited windslab accumulations into localised lee areas on Easterly to South-Easterly aspects above 800 metres. Windslab snow is also present on North-Easterly aspects above 800 metres. During tests in the windslab areas releases occurred in weak layers. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 21/1/05 Wind from the North-West will bring frequent snow showers which will fall as snow to 500 metres at first and then 200 metres by daybreak. Weakly bonded windslab snow will continue to accumulate in lee areas on Easterly and South-Easterly aspects above 500 metres. Localised weakly bonded windslab snow will also be present on North-Easterly aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still generally bare with patches of accumulation in hollows. ICING: Remnants of hard old snow can be found. COMMENT: Beware of small patches of unstable windslab at gully exits. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 20/1/05 Warmer temperatures overnight have stabilised the existing snowpack. Colder temperatures and snow showers during today have started to form localised areas of unstable windslab. Although fairly variable in distribution, the main deposits are on sheltered East, South-East and South aspects above 1000m. This fresh windslab shows poor stability on steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 21/1/05 North-West winds and snow showers will continue overnight before dying out during Friday. Unstable windslab will continue to form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered East, South-East and South aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Wind scoured old snow will remain frozen and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations on East aspects. ICING: Freezing level lowering to around 400m. COMMENT: Climbing conditions generally improving with the colder temperatures. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 20/1/05 Light accumulations of new snow above 950m and very windy conditions have continued to affect the area, scouring exposed slopes above 850m, with much of the new snow forming unstable deposits of windslab in sheltered locations. The greatest accumulations of windslab are in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a NE to SE aspect above 900m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 21/1/05 A strong NW airflow will affect the area with snow showers above 400m. These conditions will continue to scour windward slopes forming drifts and more 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). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 900 metres. ICING: Freezing level 600m overnight and 400m on Friday. COMMENT: Colder conditions will help to improve climbing conditions. Snow showers dying out during Friday. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 20/1/05 There has been very little new snow but strong winds are eroding recent deposits. In the most sheltered locations only, heavy drifting is rapidly forming unstable windslab on NE to SE aspects above 850 metres. These localised deposits are most evident at the top of steep, scarp slopes and gully exits. Soft, unstable cornices are forming. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 21/1/05 There will be strong winds and frequent snow showers from valley level. Unstable deposits will continue to form in very sheltered locations on NE to SE aspects above 850 metres. Greatest hazard will be found on steeper, scarp slopes and in gully exits, where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally very thin with hard old snow in the easier gullies and deeper drifts in places. ICING: Icy underfoot and slowly improving on the crags. COMMENT: Many slopes are wind scoured and hold very little snow. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 20/1/05 General snowpack stability has improved on all aspects with slow thaw-freeze cycle. However snow showers on strong Westerly winds are building fresh, isolated deposits of windslab on North-East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Sheltered gullies, hollows and scarp slopes hold deepest deposits. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 21/1/05 Snow showers will continue on a very strong North-West wind. Fresh moderately bonded windslab will continue to develop on North-East through East to South aspects above 750 metres. Sheltered gullies, hollows and scarp slopes will hold deepest deposits. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Major reduction below 750 metres, still fair cover above. ICING: Not much development yet. Cliffs are plastered in snow, cross your fingers for thaw-freeze cycles. COMMENT: Large cornice development above many steep sheltered aspects. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------