GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 2/2/05 Fairly mild but damp conditions are affecting the area today. The snowpack stability is generally very good however on the steepest slopes some shallow wet snow surface instabilities exist. The avalanche hazard in these areas is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 3/2/05 It will remain mild with strong Westerly winds accompanied with moderate to heavy rain overnight and through Thursday. The freezing level is just at 1100m this may produce a very light dusting of snow over the summits. With snow precipitation amounts not expected to be great the snowpack stability will remain generally good on all but the steepest North-East to South-Easterly slopes and gullies where surface wet snow instabilities will exist. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Greatest accumulations of snow remain in the higher Northern and Eastern corries. ICING: Freezing level expected to be around 1100m. COMMENT: Climbing conditions are limited due to lack of snow cover and ongoing thaw affecting the area. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 2/2/05 Some very small amounts of fresh wet snow are present above 1100m. The snowpack is continuing to thaw at all levels. Snowpack stability remains good with localised surface instabilities on steep slopes. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 3/2/05 Rain at all levels will continue to thaw the snowpack. Stability will remain generally good with localised surface instabilities on steep slopes. Any remaining cornices will be unstable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels. ICING: Freezing level remaining above the summits. COMMENT: Expected to get cold again by the weekend which should improve the climbing conditions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 2/2/05 Colder overnight and morning temperatures have resulted in a refreezing of the snowpack surface layers on all aspects above 1000 metres. The snowpack is becoming more dense and compact and is generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Low(Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 3/2/05 Overnight the freezing level is expected to fall to 900 metres which will result in a continued freezing of the snowpack surface layers. During the day Westerly winds with some precipitation may provide a dusting of snow above 1100 metres. This will not effect the snow stability which will remain generally stable on all aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover on the plateau, especially on South and East aspects - icy and firm underfoot. ICING: What remains is good and hard. COMMENT: Supposed to get much colder at the weekend. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 2/2/05 Light drizzle with freezing levels above summits. The snowpack is generally well bonded and stable on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 3/2/05 Moderate rain on strong Westerly winds with the freezing level remaining above the summits. The snowpack will continue to diminish but will be generally well bonded and stable on all aspects. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). A residual hazard of falling ice, rock and collapsing cornice remnants will be maintained in thaw conditions. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy with high North to East facing corries holding the most. ICING: Not at the moment? COMMENT: Just about managing to maintain sense of humour and enthusiasm, despite elusive winter conditions! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 2/2/05 An overnight frost has firmed up surface layers leaving the snow well bonded and stable. Cover is patchy with greatest amounts being found on the Cairngorm Plateau and on NE to SE facing slopes above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 3/2/05 There will be little change to the current situation. The freezing level will settle around 1200 metres with some softening of surface layers occurring. The remaining snow will be well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Restricted to high plateau areas and NE to SE aspects above 950 metres. ICING: None observed. Easier gullies are still holding snow on NE to SE aspects. COMMENT: Much colder conditions forecast for the weekend. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------