NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 16/2/05 Westerly winds with no precipitation have moistened the snowpack further today. Some instabilities persist at depth in the snowpack on mainly Easterly and Southerly aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 17/2/05 Moderate North-Westerly winds with some snowfall above 600 metres are expected for tomorrow. A general re-freezing of the snowpack should occur above 850 metres on all aspects. This will help to stabilise the snowpack. Weaknesses will remain at depth in the snowpack on Easterly and Southerly aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Moist snow at all levels but firm underfoot. ICING: Wet snow on crags which still look white. COMMENT: Snow should improve with expected cooler conditions. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 16/2/05 A slow rise in temperature followed by light rain this morning has helped to stabilise the snowpack in some areas. Localised areas of moderately to weakly bonded windslab still exist on some East, South-East and South facing scarp slopes and gully exits. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Some cornices remain unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 17/2/05 Snow showers are expected overnight and tomorrow with a cooler North-Westerly wind. Precipitation is not expected to be heavy, but new snow will collect as windslab in sheltered areas, with greatest accumulations on scarp slopes and gully exits with an East, South-East and South aspect above 900m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The snow level has started to rise today with East facing corries holding the most. ICING: Freezing level falling tonight and tomorrow. COMMENT: Returning to cooler wintry conditions. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 16/2/05 Milder conditions today with light rain and sleet have formed instabilities within the older windslab on steep slopes. Areas most affected are in sheltered summit gullies and on East to Southerly facing scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Elswhere general stability is good with many exposed slopes scoured by the recent strong winds. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 17/2/05 Snow showers overnight and on Thursday along with strong becoming fresh North-Westerly winds will form windslab on East to South facing slopes and in sheltered gullies mainly above 900 metres. Accumulations are not expected to be deep or extensive but bonding will be moderate to weak on steeper slopes particularly gully exits and scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Many slopes will remain wind scoured, in these areas snowpack stability will be good. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 600 metres but thawing fast at lower levels today. ICING: Freezing level 800 metres overnight becoming 900 on Thursday. COMMENT: Weak ridge of high pressure crossing tomorrow. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 16/2/05 Surface layers that were subject to solar warming have re-frozen helping improve overall stability. A few isolated areas of moderately to weakly bonded windslab remain on E through S to SW aspects above 950 metres. These are only to be found in locations that are shaded from the sun. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 17/2/05 It will remain cool with the freezing level around 900 metres. The deeper deposits that are to be found on E through S to SW aspects above 800 metres will continue to consolidate and will be moderately bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good on E to S aspects. ICING: Has improved, best possibilities are on watercourses. COMMENT: Some ski touring possible. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 16/2/05 Snowpack conditions have continued to improve with light rain showers and mild temperatures. Moderately bonded windslab is present on North-East through East to South aspects above 850 metres. Minus temperatures were still obtainable in deeper deposits tested with convex terrain, steep extreme slopes and cornices remaining suspect in milder conditions. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 17/2/05 Wind scoured areas will remain generally well bonded with thaw-freeze cycle. However light snow showers on a moderate North-West wind are expected. Fresh shallow windslab will form on existing moderately bonded deposits on North-East through East to South aspects above 800 metres. Gully tops, scarp slopes and sheltered hollows will be most affected. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels. Ski touring conditions excellent. Ski crampons may be required for scoured areas. ICING: Thaw-freeze cycle will improve conditions. COMMENT: Still a little like wearing concrete wellies if you're on foot and off the beaten track! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------