NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/2/05 Strong cold Easterly winds have been depositing snow on to Westerly aspects above 650 metres throughout the day. Here weakly bonded windslab snow is forming deep accumulations on lee aspects. Recent avalanche activity and debris has been observed on a North-Westerly aspect above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/2/05 Cold Easterly winds with snow will continue to deposit accumulations of weakly bonded windslab on to mainly Westerly and North-Westerly aspects above 650 metres. On these aspects avalanches are likely. In particular gully exits and scarp slopes on North-Westerly aspects have unstable windslab build up.Weaknesses still persist in the snowpack on South and South-Westerly aspects above 650 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Complete cover exists on the plateau ICING: Lots of snow being pushed into the Northern Corries by the wind from the plateau. COMMENT: In the brief spells of visibility the hills look fantastic. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/2/05 Areas of moderately bonded snow are present mainly on South- West, West and North-West aspects above 800m. Wind scoured slopes are frozen and stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/2/05 Light snow showers will be accompanied by East-North-East winds. No significant new unstable snow deposits are expected. Areas of moderately bonded snow will remain mainly on South-West, West and North-West aspects above 800m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at most levels. ICING: Remaining cold. COMMENT: Climbing conditions mainly good. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/2/05 The fresh to strong NE winds have continued to transport snow forming isolated areas of soft layered windslab in sheltered locations. The greatest accumulations are on S to W aspects but also in all sheltered gullies above 800m. Some loose snow instability exists on steep scarp slopes and in sheltered gully exits. The avalanche hazard Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/2/05 The cold NE airflow will continue to affect the area with light snow showers above 300m accompanied by Strong ENE winds. Weakly bonded windslab will continue to build in sheltered locations. The greatest accumulations of windslab will be on S to W aspects mainly above 800m. Existing and new deposits of windslab will be moderately bonded and require caution especially on steep scarp slopes and gully exits. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 350 metres with best cover above 600m. ICING: Freezing level 100m overnight becoming 300m on Thursday. COMMENT: Water ice is becoming more established on lower routes. Stronger winds increasing the wind chill factor. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/2/05 Moderately to weakly bonded windslab is present on SE through S to W aspects above 700 metres. In sheltered locations these accumulations are deep and unstable with failure occurring under low additional load. Cornices remain suspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/2/05 Only isolated light snow showers are expected but the winds will increase, causing drifting of the dry light deposits. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab will be found on some SE aspects but steeper sheltered locations on S to W aspects above 700 metres will demonstrate the poorest stability. Avalanches are likely in these areas. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover is improving except in exposed areas. ICING: Brittle in some places, buried in others. COMMENT: Some excellent ski touring in places. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/2/05 There has been snowfall overnight at all levels, moderate North- East winds and it has remained cold. South to West aspects above 850 metres are receiving fresh drifted snow, adding to deep weakly bonded deposits. Gullies, hollows and steep scarp slopes hold deepest accumulations and field tests produced multiple easy shears in a number of weak sub-surface layers. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/2/05 Weak sub-surface layers will persist in continuing cold temperatures. Fresh snow showers on strong East-North-East winds will continue weakly bonded windslab development on South through West to North-West aspects above 850 metres where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Fresh cornice development will begin above steep lee aspects in expected stronger winds. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 400 m. Crusty or hard snow on many NE and E aspects ICING: Reasonable quantities, thaw-freeze required to improve steeper routes. COMMENT: Weather continuing best in the West, plenty of sunshine and quiet in the corrie. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------