NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 18/2/05
Snow showers on strong North-Westerly winds have left new
accumulations of windslab on South- East aspects.  The new
windslab lying on a frozen surface showed reasonable stability
when tested on a South-East aspect at 1090 metres.  The avalanche
hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 19/2/05
Snow showers will continue on the very cold Northerly airflow.
Avalanches are likely due to weakly bonded windslab accumulating
mainly on South-East to South-West aspects above 850 metres.  The
tops of gullies and scarp slopes on sheltered North-West to
North-East aspects will also be affected. The avalanche hazard
will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally a good covering of firm snow.
ICING:  Conditions have improved again after the re-freeze. 
COMMENT:  Ice axe and crampons required due to large areas of
snow-ice.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 18/2/05
Another thaw overnight has been followed with cooler temperatures
during today. The snow surface remains frozen at all levels.
Snowpack stability is good. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category
1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 19/2/05
Cold and dry conditions will continue overnight and during
Saturday. The snowpack will continue to freeze at all levels.
Snowpack stability will remain good. The avalanche hazard will be
Low (Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in East
facing corries.
ICING: Remaining cold at all levels.
COMMENT: Good climbing conditions.
 


GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 18/2/05
Cooler conditions overnight with only light scattered snow 
showers on the higher slopes but mainly dry and very windy 
conditions today have maintained a consolidated snowpack. 
Some surface instabilities remain on the steepest scarp slopes 
and sheltered gully exits. The avalanche hazard is Moderate 
(Category 2). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 19/2/05
Cold dry but very windy conditions will affect the area. The cold
strong Northerly winds will scour windward slopes producing some
surface instabilities on the steepest scarp slopes and gully
exits in sheltered locations mainly above 800m: these are not
expected to be significant. The cold airflow will preserve the
main snowpack on N to E aspects which is generally well bonded.
Where surface instabilities exist the avalanche hazard is
Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 750 metres with best
cover on Easterly aspects.
ICING: Freezing level 200 metres overnight becoming 100 on 
Saturday. 
COMMENT:  Best prospects for climbing are in the higher 
corries. Winds Northerly 40-60 m.p.h.  on Saturday.
 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 18/2/05
A rapid melt-freeze cycle has helped to consolidate the snowpack.
Above 850 metres there is a crust present and the recent deposits
are mostly well bonded. A few areas still retain moderately
bonded snow. These are to be found in steeper, sheltered
locations on E through S to SW aspects above 900 metres. The
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 19/2/05
It will be very cold with light snow showers and strong winds.
New deposits will start to form in very sheltered locations on E
through S to SW aspects at all levels. Accumulations are not
expected to be great but above 650 metres these new deposits will
form over a snow-ice base and on steeper ground will demonstrate
poor stability. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category
2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Most extensive snow is on E to S
aspects and high plateau areas.
ICING: Much stronger ice now present.
COMMENT: More frequent showers expected in the North of 
the area.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 18/2/05
Friday began dry and bright but heavy and persistent snowfall and
strong blustery North-West winds commenced after midday. Unstable
windslab development has been rapid on steep, sheltered East to
South-facing lee slopes above 900 metres where stability
continues to decline.  Heavily scoured and crusty surfaces are
prevalent in most other places at the same or higher altitudes.
Old wet snow patches have a covering fresh snow below 800 metres.
The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 19/2/05
Colder weather with further snow showers on strong North- West or
North winds will continue overnight and throughout Saturday.
Additional weakly-stabilised windslab will be loaded on to steep
East to South-facing lee slopes above 700 metres where avalanches
are likely. The snowpack will have a hard or crusty surface in
all other locations.  The avalanche hazard will be Considerable
(Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snowing down to 250m today.  
Fresh snow lying above 500m, good cover above 700m.
ICING:  Much colder weather in prospect so improvement 
expected. 
COMMENT: Staying wintry for a while.




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