NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 12/2/05 Increasing North-West winds with snow showers have led to further build-up of slab on North-West through North to South-East aspects above 850 metres. The snowpack is generally weakly bonded due to a more compact windslab layer overlying a soft weak layer. Avalanche activity was observed on a North-East aspect at 1060 metres on Coire Chais Headwall. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 13/2/05 Continuing snow showers on strong Northerly winds will lead to further build-up of slab on the existing weakly bonded snowpack. Avalanches will occur on North-West through North to Southerly aspects above 850 metres. Sheltered gully tops and scarp slopes will be affected due to localised wind effects. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4.) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow depth improving at all levels. ICING: Buttresses well plastered with rime. COMMENT: Winds due to increase tomorrow, wild conditions expected! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 12/2/05 Areas of unstable windslab have formed on North-East, East and South-East aspects. Snow showers and Westerly winds have continued to load these aspects during Saturday. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Soft slab triggered in Easy Gully this morning. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 13/2/05 A cold North-West airflow will bring snow showers and strong winds tonight and during Sunday. Areas of windslab will continue to form with greatest accumulations on steep slopes with an East, South-East and South aspect. Avalanches will occur in these areas. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Many cornices will be unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow building up in many areas. ICING: Freezing down to 500m. COMMENT: Windslab on many approaches and exits to routes. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 12/2/05 Variable winds last night and strong Westerly gales today have formed deep unstable windslab in many sheltered gullies and on slopes mainly with a North-East to Southerly aspect above 850 metres. Stability is poor where windslab lies on steep slopes. Easy shears were attained under test on a layer containing hail in these locations. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 13/2/05 A cold North-Westerly airflow will strengthen overnight and veer Northerly on Sunday. Snow showers overnight will ease during the course of Sunday. Deep unstable windslab will continue to form in all sheltered gullies and on slopes mainly with a North-East through East to Southerly aspect above 800 metres. The strong winds expected will cause a significant amount of existing snow transport. Avalanches and cornice collapse will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500 metres on Saturday. ICING: Ice forming on rocks above 900 metres. COMMENT: Windy outlook overnight and for Sunday. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 12/2/05 Due to the changeable winds there is a very variable snowpack. Windslab is present in many sheltered locations on N through E to S aspects above 900 metres. The deepest of these areas are mainly on E to S aspects where the stability of this deep soft slab is poor. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 13/2/05 There will be further snow showers falling in very strong winds. Above 900 metres unstable deposits will still be found in very sheltered locations on N to NE aspects but deeper weakly bonded deposits will be found on E to S aspects where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Continues to slowly improve on the White Mounth area. ICING: Poor visibility today for observation but ground and turf were freezing above 950 metres. COMMENT: Likely to be a difficult day on the hill. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 12/2/05 Extensive drifting of persistent snow showers on gale force North-West winds. There have been numerous natural avalanche events in the region, with field tests producing very easy clean shears in areas tested. Deep, weakly bonded windslab is present on North-East through East to South aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 13/2/05 Snow is expected to continue on a gale force Northerly wind. Drifting will continue with weakly bonded windslab continuing to build on North-East through East to South aspects above 800 metres and here avalanches will occur. Triggering of fresh deposits will be probable with low additional loads. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Large unstable cornices will be present above steep sheltered aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow down to 400 metres, waist deep drifts, breakable crust off the beaten track. ICING: What little there was is unreachable until conditions settle. COMMENT: Cautious route planning advised, as extensive weakly bonded windslab is present. Triggering of this slab is probable with low additional loads! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------