NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/05 North-Easterly winds with snow showers have affected the mountains today. Windslab accumulations have developed on South-West to North-Westerly aspects above 650 metres. Weaknesses are present at depth in the snowpack on North-Westerly aspects and releases occurred during field tests. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/05 North-Easterly winds with isolated snow showers will continue throughout the day. With a freezing level at 200 metres weaknesses will persist in the snowpack. Instabilities will be present in the windslab accumulations on mainly South-West to North-Westerly aspects above 650 metres where avalanches are likely. On North-Westerly aspects at gully exits large unstable cornice build up has been noted and windslab accumulations in gully lee areas will be present. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Complete cover with deep accumulations making hard going on foot. ICING: Lots of soft snow accumulation on cliffs COMMENT: Real winter conditions - white-outs, blizzards, mmm! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/05 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 FRI 25/2/05 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 THU 24/2/05 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 in these areas is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/05 The cold NE airflow will continue to affect the area with light snow showers at all levels with Strong NE 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) in these areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 450 metres with best cover above 600m. ICING: Freezing all levels overnight becoming 200m on Friday. COMMENT: Water ice is becoming more established on lower routes. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/05 Deeper accumulations are present on SE through S to W aspects above 700 metres. Consolidation is slow with the cold dry deposits remaining moderately to weakly bonded. Cornices remain suspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/05 There will be little change to the current conditions. Deep accumulations will remain in sheltered locations on SE through S to W aspects above 700 metres. Stability of these dry layered deposits will continue to be poor. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A general cover of dry light snow. ICING: Best possibilities are in watercourses. COMMENT: Deep drifts over footpaths are making walk-ins tiresome. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/05 It has been another cold day with light snow showers and moderate North-East winds. There has been significant scouring and drifting of snow above 600 metres which in turn has led to additional layered and weakly bonded windslab development in lee areas. Steep, sheltered South-West to West- facing slopes above 950 metres are most affected but local winds continue to load up some gully and corrie sidewalls of a North-West aspect. The prolonged cold temperatures are encouraging the growth of weak faceted grains especially where the snowpack is relatively shallow. The avalanche hazard remains Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/05 It will remain cold with occasional snow showers and moderate North-East winds. Stability will remain poor wherever new or recent windslab lies on steep South-West to West and some North-West aspects above 950 metres where avalanches are likely. North-East to East-facing slopes will remain crusty or hard and icy. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good enough for ski-touring above 500m. Drifted snow with hard, icy areas. ICING: Reasonable quantities, thaw-freeze required to improve steeper routes. COMMENT: Mainly dry but drifting will continue. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------