NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 15/2/05
A sunny day with light North-Westerly winds has drifted lying
snow on to mainly Easterly aspects above 800 metres. The snowpack
has become generally stable except for weaknesses that remain at
depth in the snow on mainly Southerly aspects and in some
isolated accumulations on North-Easterly aspects above 800 metres
where field tests produced easy releases.The avalanche hazard is
Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 16/2/05
Moderate South-Westerly winds with some rain and a freezing level
above the summits will moisten the snow pack on all aspects and
at all altitudes. The snowpack will be unstable on mainly
Southerly and Easterly aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good compact snow for travelling on foot and
ski can be found on the plateau.
ICING: Good climbing in the Northern Corries
COMMENT: Warm weather ahead but may return to colder conditions in a few days !!




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 15/2/05
Areas of weakly bonded windslab still exist in many areas above 
1000m. These areas are most common at the tops of East, 
South-East and South facing scarp slopes and gullies. In these 
areas the avalanche hazard is Considerable ( Category 3 ). Wind 
scoured slopes remain stable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 16/2/05
A weak warm front will bring rain to all levels overnight and 
during Wednesday. Rainfall is not expected to be heavy, but 
may be sufficient to overload steep, weakly bonded slopes with 
an East, South-East and South aspect above 1000m. The avalanche
hazard will be Considerable ( Category 3 ). Some cornices will
become unstable and prone to collapse.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good snow cover in East facing
corries and generally down to 500m.
ICING: Ice slowly starting to form on some routes.
COMMENT: Colder weather expected to return by Thursday. 
 


GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 15/2/05
Stability continues to improve in most locations with the dry and
settled conditions affecting the area. Many slopes exposed to the
recent strong Northerly winds are scoured. Areas 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 or where strong solar warming is occuring
bonding remains suspect. The avalanche hazard is Moderate
(Category 2)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 16/2/05
A weak warm front will give milder conditions with moderate 
rain at all levels overnight and through Wednesday. Instabilities 
will form on steep slopes as the snowpack becomes increasingly 
wet. Areas of greatest instability will be all sheltered gullies
and slopes with a North-East through to Southerly aspect mainly above 850
metres, where avalanches and cornice collapse are likely.  The
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500 metres on Tuesday.
ICING: Freezing level expected to be around 1700 metres 
through the period.
COMMENT: All the classic routes in the glen receiving ascents 
on Tuesday complete with superb weather, outlook mild and wet 
for Wednesday.
 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 15/2/05
It has been a stunning day, providing better observation
conditions. Some consolidation has taken place but yesterday's
drifted deposits contain graupel layers and are demonstrating
poor stability. These moderately to weakly bonded deposits are
present in very sheltered locations on E through S to SW aspects
above 650 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category
3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 16/2/05
The freezing level will rise to above the summits. The moderately
to weakly bonded deposits that are present in very sheltered
locations on E through S to SW aspects above 650 metres will be
de-stabilised by the rising temperatures. Avalanches are likely
in steeper locations such as gully exits and scarp slopes. The
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A combination of icy wind scoured
slopes and deep drifts.
ICING: 1500 metre freezing level on Wednesday. 
COMMENT: Ski touring available for the keen. 


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 15/2/05
Strong sunshine and light variable winds have prevailed. The
snowpack shows some signs of consolidation, but cold temperatures
are maintaining weak sub-surface layers in deeper deposits.
Moderate to easy shears were obtained in areas tested. Weakly
bonded windslab is present on North-East through East to South
aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable
(Category 3). Very large unstable cornices are present above many
steep aspects.
  
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 16/2/05
Strong South-West winds will bring freezing levels rising to
above the summits. Rain and mild temperatures will add further
loading to existing weakly bonded windslab with a period of high
instability ensuing. Weakly bonded windslab is present on
North-East through East to South aspects above 800 metres and
here avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High
(Category 4). Large cornices will also be prone to collapse and
run outs will be long.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover at all levels. Fantastic
ski-touring conditions; skis recommended for travel unless you
like swimming up hill!
ICING: Mostly buried with exits from most gullies holding 
weak slab or overhung by monster cornices.
COMMENT: Careful route choice advised in wet conditions on 
Wednesday with debris run outs expected to be long!




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