NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 29/1/05 It has been a dry sunny day with moderate winds from the North-West. Summit temperatures have remained below zero. There is little change in the snowpack, which is generally well bonded with an icy crust on the surface at all levels. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 30/1/05 The dry conditions will continue with moderate winds from the North-West and the freezing level will be around 900 metres. There will be little change in the snowpack and stability will remain good on all aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The Cairngorms are entombed with twinkling icy crust. ICING: Buttresses and gullies covered in water ice rime, looking wintry with lots of routes being done. COMMENT: Great care needed on steep descents such as the Goat Track due to a thick covering of water ice. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 29/1/05 Conditions have remained cool and settled on Friday night and during Saturday. The snowpack is generally well bonded and stable. Localised surface instabilities are present on steep slopes exposed to solar radiation. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 30/1/05 The continuing cool and dry conditions will have little effect on the existing snowpack. Snowpack stability will remain generally good throughout the forecast period. Localised surface instabilities will be present on steep slopes exposed to solar radiation. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain on Eastern aspects, with snow surface remaining frozen out of the sun. ICING: Remaining cold. COMMENT: Reasonable climbing conditions. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 29/1/05 Cooler temperatures overnight and dry and settled conditions throughout period have maintained the snowpack in a stable condition. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 30/1/05 It will remain dry with freezing levels of around 950 metres with possibility of temperature inversion conditions above this height. General snowpack stability will be very good in most areas but surface wet snow instabilities may form on the steepest North- East to South-East slopes and also in sheltered gullies as temperatures rise particularly with the effects of solar warming. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800 metres mainly in Northerly and Easterly corries and gullies. ICING: Much of the ice has gone but still some on the rocks above 850 metres. COMMENT: Climbing conditions restricted mainly to the highest corries due to thaw earlier in week. Recent weather has been good, cool overnight with clear and sunny days. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 29/1/05 It has been a beautiful day with the snow gradually softening in the sun on plateau areas and South facing aspects. Greatest accumulations are to be found on the high plateau areas and on NE to SE aspects above 900 metres. The snow remains well bonded and stable on aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 30/1/05 With the weather remaining settled there will be little change to the current situation. An inversion has been forecast for around 900 metres giving the potential for temperatures that are below freezing at this altitude. Temperatures on the higher summits could be above freezing at times. The remaining snow will be well bonded and stable on all aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The White Mounth has limited snow. The South Cairngorms have better cover. ICING: Limited ice on the higher crags only. COMMENT: Beinn a'Bhuird plateau is rimed with water ice. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 29/1/05 Cool, dry and clear conditions have brought a good measure of stability to the snowpack in all locations. Snow surface conditions vary somewhat with altitude and orientation to the sun. Sun-affected slopes were softer after midday whilst all others had a tightly bonded crust. The avalanche hazard remains Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 30/1/05 Cool, dry conditions will prevail overnight and throughout Sunday. The snowpack will continue to consolidate, although in the event of prolonged sunshine any sun-exposed slopes will have a softer surface layer by the end of the day. Shaded slopes will be hard, icy and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good, with very large linked patches above 800 metres. ICING: Principal low grade gully routes reasonably well filled with crusty snow-ice. COMMENT: Gorgeous day at Creag Meagaidh on Saturday. The car park at Aberarder was about half full but Coire Ardair surprisingly quiet. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------