NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/2/05 Strong South-West winds continue to build windslab accumulations on mainly North and North-East aspects above 600 metres. The compact windslab layer overlies a soft weak layer of snow. Avalanche debris and an extensive crown wall were noted at 1100 metres on a Northerly aspect. Tension cracks were also observed at this location. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/2/05 South-West winds with snow showers will continue throughout the day and windslab accumulations will continue to develop on mainly North and North-East aspects above 600 metres where avalanches are likely. Weaknesses will remain in the soft layers which occur at depth below the compact windslab. Unstable cornices will continue to build on gully exits and scarp slopes in lee areas. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wind continues to scour the mountains and snowfields are extensive on lee slopes. ICING: Old snow and ice that remain are very hard. COMMENT: Significant windslab build-up has been observed in gullies and North facing descent routes. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/2/05 Snow showers and strong South-West winds have formed areas of unstable windslab. Greatest accumulations are on sheltered North, North-East and East aspects above 1000m.The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Dry slab avalanche triggered in Easy Gully. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/2/05 Snow showers are expected overnight, with increasing snowfall during Wednesday on strong South-West winds. New areas of windslab will form with greatest accumulations on sheltered North, North-East and East aspects above 1000m.The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow down to 600m. ICING: Freezing level about 900m on Wednesday. COMMENT: Heavier snowfall expected on Wednesday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/2/05 Strong South-Westerly winds and new snow at higher levels have formed unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are in summit gullies and on scarp slopes with a North to Easterly aspect above 950 metres. Elswhere stability is generally good with windward slopes scoured and a light rain crust forming at lower levels. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Fresh cornice debris noted below North-Easterly aspects from 1000 metre level. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/2/05 The strong South-Westerly winds will continue with snow overnight becoming heavy through Wednesday. Unstable windslab will continue to form in sheltered North to East facing slopes and in sheltered summit gullies mainly above 900 metres. Stability will be poor where deeper accumulations of windslab form on steep slopes and gullies where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 600 metres. ICING: Freezing level expected to be around 900 metres overnight rising to 1000 metres on Wednesday. COMMENT: Conditions are improving on the higher routes. More snow on the way overnight becoming heavy and prolonged on Wednesday. Fresh windslab and cornices will require caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/2/05 Snow showers have continued to add to already unstable deposits on N through E to SE aspects above 900 metres. New accumulations have formed mainly on scarp slopes and other steeper sheltered areas. Avalanche activity was observed on Lochnagar. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/2/05 It will remain windy with further snowfall expected. Windslab development will continue in steeper sheltered locations on N through E to SE aspects above 900 metres, where avalanches are likely. Stability will remain poor. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover is generally improving above 900 metres. ICING: Very limited on Lochnagar. Old snow-ice is very firm. COMMENT: Buttresses are looking white but otherwise there is very little build-up. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/2/05 Some consolidation of recent snow which has fallen above 650 has occurred. Field tests on scattered accumulations of windslab on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres (which overlie old deposits) showed clean moderate shears at approximately 20 centimetres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/2/05 Further snow will fall overnight and on Wednesday 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, where avalanches are likely. Sheltered gullies, hollows and steep scarp slopes will hold deepest deposits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snowfall forecast to continue over next 24 hrs. ICING: Hard to tell: crags white with new snow. COMMENT: Fresh unstable cornice development will also continue above steep lee aspects. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------