GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/2/05 Mild and wet conditions have continued to affect the area. The snowpack stability is generally very good however on the steepest slopes wet snow surface instabilities exist. The avalanche hazard in these areas is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/2/05 Snow showers and fresh Northerly winds will affect the area during Friday night and during Saturday. The greatest accumulations of new snow will be above 750m on SE to S aspects and in sheltered hollows and gullies. Winslab will form above 850m mainly on Southerly aspects and around the tops of sheltered gullies. Where these conditions exist especially on steep slopes the avalanche hazard will increase to Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Greatest accumulations of snow is in the higher Northern and Eastern corries with new snow forecast above 700m during the period. ICING: Freezing level expected to be around 750m. COMMENT: Becoming colder the new snow will help improve Climbing conditions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/2/05 It has been a damp day with some rain being carried on the South-Westerly winds. The snowpack continues to generally strengthen and is stable on South and Easterly aspects and all altitudes where accumulations exist. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/2/05 Moderate snowfall is expected overnight with winds from the South-West. Accumulations will occur on North-Easterly aspects above 900 metres. During the day the wind will become Northerly with snow falling to 700 metres mainly on Southerly slopes. The snowpack will be unstable on South and North-Easterly aspects above 700 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow fields on South and East slopes are firm underfoot and reasonably extensive on the plateau. ICING: A mild day has reduced any remaining ice. COMMENT: A return to winter is forecast from tonight. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/2/05 With freezing levels above the summits today, the snowpack has continued to thaw. No new snow has arrived yet. Snowpack stability remains good with localised surface instabilities on steep slopes. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/2/05 Snow is expected overnight with a light North-West wind, followed by light snow showers on Saturday. Areas of windslab will form in sheltered locations and on steep slopes with an East, South-East and South aspect. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow remaining in East facing corries. Fresh snow expected overnight. ICING: Temperatures falling to 700m on Saturday. COMMENT: Maybe it will snow eventually! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/2/05 It has been a mild and damp day. Snow cover is patchy with greatest amounts being found on the Cairngorm Plateau and on NE to SE facing slopes above 950 metres. The remaining snow is well bonded and stable with a mixture of firm and soft surface layers depending on location. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/2/05 Overnight snow will accumulate on N to E aspects above 900 metres. Snowfall on Saturday will be accompanied by lighter winds resulting in a more general covering of snow. Where new snow acquires sufficient depth or overlies snow-ice, deposits will be moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Restricted to high plateau areas and NE to SE aspects above 950 metres. ICING: Limited but freezing level is lowering to 800m. COMMENT: Moderate snowfall expected throughout the period. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/2/05 The continuing thaw has resulted in a sparse and stable snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/2/05 Moderate snow overnight and during Saturday on South-West then easing Northerly winds will result in new windslab build up. Greatest deposits will occur on, sheltered North East to South facing aspects above 800 metres, where new snow instabilities and avalanches are likely in steepest locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerate (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Currently only old snow patches above 800m, new snow expected at all levels on Saturday. ICING: All lines broken at present. Fresh snow unlikely to result in any immediate quality climbing opportunities. COMMENT: New snow instabilities expected. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------