NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 6/2/05 Continuous heavy snow on moderate North-West winds has led to substantial snow transport above 1100 metres. Below this there is an improved general cover. At a test site on a South-East aspect at 1200 metres, easy shears with fracture propagation were noted at several levels in surface layers. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 7/2/05 Increasing South-West winds will bring about a major re-distribution of snow. New unstable windslab will form on slopes of any North or East aspect, particularly on steep open or convex slopes above 800 metres, as well as gully tops. Avalanches are likely in these areas. Fresh cornices will build. Some instabilities will persist on slopes of South aspect. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels, with deep snow in boulder-fields making travel difficult. ICING: A lot of atmospheric riming. COMMENT: Specific avalanche sites indicated for Monday include all Sneachda gullies, Lochain West Wall and Twin Burns, as well as Ciste Mhearad. This is not an exhaustive list! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 6/2/05 Localised areas of unstable slab are present at the tops of East, South-East and South facing slopes and gullies above 1100m. On other slopes, a thin dusting of fresh snow is present. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 7/2/05 The cold conditions will continue with a strengthening SW wind. The existing fresh snow will become redistributed and form as unstable windslab mainly at the tops of North, North- East and East aspects above 1100m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). In areas that have been scoured by the wind, snow stability will remain good. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh dusting above 600m although limited significant deposits. ICING: Remaining cold. COMMENT: Strengthening SW winds. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 6/2/05 A light cover of new snow is lying above 500 metres. Stability is generally good but some areas of marginally stable soft slab exist in sheltered gully exits and around the tops of steep scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 7/2/05 It will remain cool and dry for most of the period maintaining good snowpack stability in many areas. Strengthening South- Westerly winds will re-distribute existing snow forming windslab in sheltered areas. Greatest accumulations of windslab will be on North to East facing slopes and in sheltered summit gullies. Stability will be moderate to poor where deeper accumulations form on steep slopes or where old snow-ice underlies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover of new snow above 500 metres. Greatest accumulations of older snow are in the higher Northern and Eastern corries and gullies. ICING: Freezing level expected to be around 650 metres. COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses looking more seasonal today with cover of fresh snow. More snow expected later on Monday night. Fresh windslab and cornices will require caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 6/2/05 Light snow showers have resulted in a thin general covering of snow from about 700 metres. This new snow has not achieved sufficient depth to be significant in terms of the avalanche hazard which remains Low (Category 1). Greatest amounts of old snow are to be found on NE to SE aspects above 950 metres. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 7/2/05 It will remain cold and dry throughout the period. As the wind speed increases on Monday redistributed deposits will start to accumulate in sheltered locations on N to E aspects. These deposits will be moderately bonded where sufficient depth accumulates over a snow-ice base. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover of new snow from 700m. Old snow-ice on high plateau areas and NE to SE aspects above 950 metres. ICING: Remaining cold for the next 24-hour period. COMMENT: A strong crust is present on the old snow. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 6/2/05 There has been some consolidation of recent snow which has fallen in the past 24 hours above 650 metres. Pockets of windslab exist mainly on steep sheltered South to East facing aspects above 800 metres. Field tests showed some instabilities remain of these most recent deposits. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 7/2/05 A retreating ridge of high pressure overnight and a freezing level of 650 metres on Monday will see further consolidation of the snowpack. Isolated pockets of windslab will persist primarily on steep, sheltered South to East facing aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A light general cover above 650 metres. ICING: Some recent improvement, although quantity and quality remains limited and variable. COMMENT: Looking pretty on the tops. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------