NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/2/05 Strong South-West winds have continued to build windslab accumulations on mainly North and North-East aspects above 900 metres. The snow pack has been affected by the warmer temperatures and the windslab layer has become harder. Weak layers still remain at depth in the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 10/2/05 Overnight the winds will be strong South-Westerly becoming Westerly during the day. The freezing level is expected to be at 300 metres falling to 200 metres in the daylight hours. Snow is expected which will fall to 100 metres. Weakly bonded windslab will continue to build on mainly North and North-East aspects above 600 metres where avalanche are likely and accumulations will develop on Easterly slopes above 300 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet and soft snow below 1000m provides arduous travel in boulder fields. ICING: The cliffs are well plastered with wet snow - could be good if it freezes. COMMENT: Weak windslab still lurks at gully exits and on North facing descent slopes. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/2/05 Localised areas of windslab are present at the tops of North- East, East and South-East facing slopes and gullies above 1100m. Although the warmer conditions have started to consolidate the snowpack, strong SW winds have continued to load the slopes mentioned above. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 10/2/05 Light snow showers with strong SW winds will continue to form localised areas of windslab at the tops of North-East, East and South-East facing slopes and gullies above 900m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Most snow in East facing corries. ICING: Freezing level falling to 300m on Thursday. COMMENT: A cold and showery airstream expected over Scotland on Thursday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/2/05 Milder stormy conditions today have brought rain, hail, sleet and snow. Instabilities exist within the snowpack on steep North to East facing slopes and in sheltered summit gullies. Avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche debris noted on North-Easterly aspect of Stob Coire Sgreamhach from 1050 metres. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 10/2/05 A return to colder conditions will improve stability of the existing snowpack. Snow showers overnight and early on Thursday with gales initially from the South-West veering West by daytime will form areas of windslab in sheltered locations. Although amounts of new snow are not expected to be great, bonding will be poor on steep North through East to South- Easterly slopes particularly where accumulations form on old re- frozen snow. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800 metres. ICING: Freezing level lowering to 250 metres by Thursday. COMMENT: Snow showers expected to die out by morning. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/2/05 Recent accumulations remain unstable on N to E aspects above 900 metres. Wet surface layers are present up to 1000 metres. Above this altitude new snowfall is adding to the poorly bonded deposits that are present in steeper sheltered locations such as gully exits and scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 10/2/05 Snow showers on strong winds will continue to form unstable windslab in sheltered locations on N through E to SE aspects above 900 metres. Gully exits and scarp slopes will hold poorly bonded drifted deposits and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION. Climbing will improve as the freezing level drops to valley level. ICING: Remaining lean but with potential to improve. COMMENT: The Cairngorms currently hold more snow than the White Mounth. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/2/05 South-West winds have brought heavy precipitation and more or less continous snow above 950 metres. Windslab build up has been rapid on all steep North to East aspects above this altitude with avalanche activity observed at 1300hrs on a North-East aspect of Coire Chriochairein. Stability will continue to decline in all these locations until the heavy snow showers abate. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 10/2/05 The onset of colder weather and a strong, more Westerly airflow will bring only scattered snow showers to Creag Meagaidh. Snow will still be available for transport on high plateau areas so new marginally stabilised windslab development can be expected on steep, sheltered ground above 1000 metres of a North-East to South-East aspect. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow below 850m on Weds. General snow cover better above 950m. ICING: Snow and ice in gullies and scoured areas likely to improve in colder weather. COMMENT: Soaking wet below 850m and snowy higher up on Weds. Challenging. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------