NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 7/2/05 Strong South-West winds have transported snow on to North and North-Easterly aspects above 400 metres. In these areas there has been a rapid build up of compact windslab snow which overlies soft snow. During tests releases occurred easily on weak layers identified in the snowpack. Avalanche crown wall and debris were noted on a Northerly aspect at 550 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 8/2/05 Strong South-Westerly winds with snow are expected overnight and will continue throughout the day. Windslab accumulations will occur mainly on North and North-Easterly aspects above 500 metres. Cornices will continue to form and lee areas such as gullies and scarp slopes will have a significant build-up of windslab snow. Avalanches will occur in these areas. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The complete snow cover of the last few days is being re-distributed onto lee slopes. ICING: Cliffs plastered with snow and some rime. COMMENT: Gullies on N aspects will be filling in. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 7/2/05 Strengthening SW winds have started to form areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are on sheltered North, North-East and East aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche activity observed in No3 Gully, Ben Nevis. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 8/2/05 Snow showers and strong SW winds will further load sheltered locations with unstable windslab. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered North, North-East and East aspects above 1000m, where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow remains above 600m. ICING: Freezing level remaining around 900m. COMMENT: Fresh windslab forming on many approaches and exits to routes. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 7/2/05 Strong South-Westerly winds and new snow today are forming areas of unstable windslab in sheltered areas. Greatest accumulations are around the tops of summit gullies and on scarp slopes with a North to Easterly aspect. Elswhere stability is generally good with windward slopes becoming scoured. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 8/2/05 Snow showers, heavier overnight will affect the area throughout the period. Strong South-Westerly winds will continue to form unstable windslab in sheltered areas. Greatest accumulations of windslab will be on North to East facing slopes and in sheltered summit gullies mainly above 850 metres, where avalanches are likely. Stability will be 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: New snow above 600 metres. Greatest accumulations of older snow are in the higher Northern and Eastern corries and gullies. ICING: Freezing level expected to be around 900 metres. COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses looking more seasonal with cover of recent snow. More persistant snow on the way overnight becoming showery on Tuesday. Fresh windslab and cornices will require caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 7/2/05 Areas of unstable windslab exist on E to S aspects above 950 metres. Re=distributed deposits are accumulating on N to E aspects above 950 metres. Where recent deposits have formed over older snow-ice or have acquired reasonable depth stability is poor. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cover on the White Mounth remains limited with most of the new snow being found in the South Cairngorms. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 8/2/05 Further snowfall will continue to form unstable deposits. Moderately to weakly bonded snow will be found on N through E to SE aspects above 900 metres. Avalanches are likely in steeper sheltered locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover from 700 metres. Deeper snow on N through E to SE aspects above 950m. ICING: Improving slowly. Old snow-ice is very firm. COMMENT: The White Mounth area is holding a lot less snow than the Cairngorms. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 7/2/05 Snow showers have fallen throughout the day on strong South-West wind. Development of fresh windslab is becoming more widespread with North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres affected. Sheltered gullies, hollows and scarp slopes hold deepest deposits. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 8/2/05 Snowfall will continue with drifting on a strong South-West wind. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab will continue to be present on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Sheltered gullies, hollows and steep scarp slopes will hold deepest deposits. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). Fresh unstable cornice development will also continue above steep lee aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Improving cover above 650 metres. Snowfall forecast to continue over next 24 hrs. ICING: Slow improvement, remaining variable and limited, oh and about to be buried..again! COMMENT: Navigationally challenging conditions on the tops expected tomorrow (8/2/05). Don't forget your goggles! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------