NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 14/2/05 Northerly winds with snow are continuing to deposit windslab accumulations on South-Easterly to South-Westerly slopes above 650 metres. On these aspects the snowpack is very weakly bonded due to faceted crystal layers at depth and here field tests produced easy releases. Weaknesses also remain in the snowpack on North-Easterly aspects above 650 metres. The avalanche hazard is High. (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 15/2/05 Very light winds from the North-West are expected with a freezing level at 600 metres. Weaknesses in the snow pack will persist in the windslab layer on North-East to Easterly aspects above 650 metres. Poorly bonded windslab also remains on South-East to South-West facing slopes above 650 metres where avalanches will occur. Localised unstable accumulations will also exist in lee areas such as gully exits and scarp slopes on Northerly aspects. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow seems to be good for climbing on North aspects. Scoured areas on plateau. ICING: Large amounts of riming on NW facing rocks. COMMENT: Calm day expected tomorrow. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 14/2/05 Localised areas of unstable slab are present in sheltered locations at the tops of East, South-East and South facing slopes and gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). In areas scoured by the wind, snow stability is good. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 15/2/05 A ridge of high pressure will be moving in tomorrow, bringing dry conditions with a light North-West wind. Temperatures will remain low, and snow stabilisation will be slow. Any redistribution of snow will collect as windslab, mainly at the tops of East, South-East and South facing aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow remaining above 500m. ICING: Remaining cold. COMMENT: Crampons useful in many locations. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 14/2/05 Stability has improved in many locations with the dry and calmer conditions affecting the area today. Many slopes exposed to the recent strong Northerly winds have become scoured. Accumulations of windslab exist in sheltered gullies and on mainly East to Southerly aspects above 850 metres. Where deeper accumulations of windslab lie on steep slopes bonding is moderate to weak. The avalanche hazard in these areas is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 15/2/05 It will remain dry and cool with fresh Northerly winds overnight decreasing to give very calm conditions on Tuesday. No significant change is expected to the overall condition of the snowpack. Slopes exposed to the recent strong Northerly winds will remain scoured in many places. Accumulations of deep windslab in sheltered gullies and on East to Southern aspects mainly above 900 metres will remain moderate to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 400 metres. ICING: Ice forming on rocks above 650 metres. Freezing level expected to remain at 600 metres through the period. COMMENT: Favourable weather outlook for Tuesday as high pressure moves in from the West. Many ridges and buttresses have a cover of recent snow. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 14/2/05 It was another windy day with some snow showers. The strong winds have continued to add snow to the deep unstable deposits that are present in very sheltered locations on E through S to SW aspects above 650 metres. These accumulations are weakly bonded and the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 15/2/05 Dry, calmer conditions will move into the area. Deep accumulations will be found from 650 metres in very sheltered locations on E through S to SW aspects. Some consolidation will take place and there will be an improvement in stability but deposits will only be moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Any sheltered areas are holding deep drifts. ICING: Watercourses are starting to freeze. COMMENT: With careful route selection some sheltered tracks are good for ski touring. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 14/2/05 Only a very small amount of fresh snow has fallen overnight and during the day. Weakly bonded windslab remains present on North-East through East to South aspects. Where tested at 750 metres although some consolidation was evident, moderate shears in several layers where still obtained. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 15/2/05 Dry conditions with light variable winds will bring some improvement in stability. Further consolidation of the snowpack is expected but areas of weakly bonded windslab will persist on North-East through East to South aspects above 800 metres where avalanches are likely. Triggering of fresh slab in sheltered areas above 800 metres and gully tops will be possible with low additional loads. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Large unstable cornices remain above steep sheltered aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels. Some consolidation but still difficult walking conditions off the beaten track. ICING: Some build up evident. COMMENT: Some improvement but careful route choice and great care still required on gully exits. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------