NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 11/2/05 It has remained cold with snow showers on moderate winds from the South-West. Accumulations of slab have continued to develop on Northerly through to South-Easterly aspects above 800 metres. Tests at 1135 metres on a South-East aspect showed instabilities within the slab layers. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 12/2/05 Moderate Southerly winds will turn North-Westerly and increase overnight with snow showers above 650 metres. Avalanches are likely due to the build-up of unstable windslab on North-West through North to South-Easterly aspects above 850 metres. Gully tops and scarp slopes will be particularly affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A thin covering at all levels with large areas of deep snow on lee slopes above750m. ICING: Much improvement in the freezing temperatures. COMMENT: Remaining cold for Saturday. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 11/2/05 Low overnight temperatures have not stabilised the snowpack. Localised areas of windslab remain present at the tops of North- East, East and South-East facing scarp slopes and gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 12/2/05 Overnight the freezing level will rise to 1200m followed by strengthening wind from the North-West and fresh snowfall throughout the day. Areas of unstable windslab will form on North-East,East and South-East aspects. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow expected ICING: Ice continuing to form above 1000m COMMENT: Fresh windslab forming on many approaches and exits to routes. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 11/2/05 Snow showers and variable winds have formed fresh accumulations of windslab in the most sheltered of areas. These accumulations are mainly around the tops of North-East to South-Easterly scarp slopes and sheltered gullies. Stability is moderate to poor where windslab lies on steep slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 12/2/05 Variable winds and fluctuating temperatures through the period will bring new snow followed by heavy rain overnight with a return to snow showers through Saturday. Instabilities will form where deep accumulations of snow exist mainly on North through to South-East aspects and sheltered gullies above 850 metres. Avalanches and cornice collapse are likely in particular with the effects of the milder wet conditions. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 600 metres on Friday; much snow has been scoured by recent strong winds on to Easterly aspects. ICING: Becoming mild overnight with a return to cooler conditions during Saturday. COMMENT: Windy outlook for Saturday. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 11/2/05 It has been a dry day with light winds. Unstable windslab is present on N through E to SE aspects above 900 metres. Greatest amounts are to be found in sheltered locations such as gullies, scarp slopes and steep burns. These dry layered deposits continue to demonstrate poor stability. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 12/2/05 Moderately to weakly bonded deposits will be found on N through E to S aspects above 900 metres. Areas most affected will include steeper sheltered locations, especially those on E and SE aspects where new unstable deposits will form and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Marked difference between the very limited cover on the White Mounth and the heavier snowfall received by the Cairngorms recently. ICING: Icing over rocks observed from 750 metres. More reliable quality is found above 900 metres. COMMENT: Variable snow stability will be encountered due to changeable freezing level and winds overnight. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 11/2/05 Some snow has been available for transport on a moderate South-West wind above 900 metres. The snowpack shows some signs of stability at the surface in milder air temperatures. However sub-surface instabilities still exist and field tests produced easy shears at 30 cm. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab persists on North-East through to South-East aspects above 850 metres. Fresh debris from cornice triggered avalanche was observed on an Easterly aspect in Coire a' Chriochairein at 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 12/2/05 A return is forecast to colder conditions with persistent snow on strong North-West wind. Weakly bonded windslab will be present on North-East through East to South aspects above 850 metres where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Triggering is probable with low additional loads. The development of fragile cornices will continue above steep lee aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels with thigh deep drifts, breakable crust and some snow-ice present off the beaten track. ICING: Mostly buried in snow with some signs of slow improvement. COMMENT: Careful route planning advised as rapid build up of fresh windslab is expected in continuous snowfall. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------