NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 1/3/05 Snow on winds from the North-East has accumulated depositions of windslab on Southerly to Westerly aspects above 900 metres. A small avalanche was triggered by a climber on a Westerly aspect at 1080 metres. Windslab accumulations are localised and are in sheltered areas on ridges and in gullies. Instabilities remain at depth on South East through West to North-Westerly aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 2/3/05 Overnight winds from the North-East will bring moderate precipitation to the area falling as snow at all levels. This will continue throughout the day. New snow accumulations will increase loading on South to Westerly aspects above 650 metres where avalanches are likely. Gullies in the Northern Corries will continue to receive cross loaded deposits of windslab which will accumulate in sheltered locations on side walls and scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Blanket cover of deepening snow ICING: Ice about but getting covered COMMENT: More snow to come. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 1/3/05 Fresh snow has fallen overnight with a strengthening Easterly wind. Fresh localised areas of unstable windslab are forming on many sheltered slopes. Greatest accumulations are at the tops of sheltered South-West, West and North-West aspects above 1000m. Locally, other sheltered areas are also affected. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Stability on wind scoured slopes is generally good. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 2/3/05 Snow showers are expected overnight and during Wednesday, with a moderate North-East wind. Further accumulations of unstable windslab will build in sheltered locations, with greatest deposits at the tops of South, South-West and West aspects above 900m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Stability on wind scoured slopes will generally be good. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow remaining at most levels. ICING: Freezing level around 250m on Wednesday. COMMENT: Cold conditions continuing. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 1/3/05 New snow deposits with Northerly winds have affected the area. The greatest accumulations of new windslab are in sheltered hollows and gullies with a SE through to W aspect above 800m. Loose snow instability exists on steep scarp slopes and in sheltered gully exits. The avalanche hazard is Considerable Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 2/3/05 Further snow showers accompanied with North-Easterly winds will affect the area during Tuesday night and through Wednesday. Accumulations of windslab will continue to form on SE to SW aspects in sheltered locations mainly above 750m. The new accumulations of windslab and existing deposits will be moderately bonded especially on steep scarp slopes and gully exits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 450 metres with best cover above 700m. ICING: Freezing level around 300m. COMMENT: Forecast is for more snow. Most higher gullies will have some weakly bonded snow deposits and caution is required. Buttresses and ridges the safer option. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 1/3/05 The overnight moderate snow has fallen on NE winds. New unstable deposits have formed over older snow on SE through S to W aspects from 700 metres. On Glas Maol a piste machine triggered surface layers as did avalanche observers on steeper terrain with skis. Older snow remains moderately well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 2/3/05 The wintry conditions will continue with further snow showers falling on NE winds. Deposits will continue to build in sheltered locations on SE through S to W aspects above 700 metres, where avalanches are likely. Stability of new accumulations will be poor particularly where they overlie older snow. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover is adequate for touring in most places although you'll need to carry sometimes on White Mounth. ICING: Watercourses continue to be the best option although many rocks have iced over. COMMENT: Many higher mountain tracks have deep drifts in places. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 1/3/05 Cold temperatures, heavy snow overnight and moderate North- East winds combined to produce a period of very poor stability on sheltered South-East through to West aspects. Debris from at least four dry slab avalanches was noted on steep South-East to South-facing corrie backwalls, starting from between 900 and 950 metres. Although warmth from the sun is bringing a little consolidation to the snowpack below 750 metres the avalanche hazard remains Considerable (Category 3) in these locations. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 2/3/05 Cold North-East winds will continue to load snow as poorly- stabilised windslab on to steep South-East through to West-facing scarp slopes and gully tops above 850 metres. Cross-loading may also lead to slab development into North-West facing gullies. Avalanches are likely in all these locations. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover of fresh snow above 550m. Bigger drifts in sheltered areas above 600m. ICING: Freezing level between 200m and 300m overnight and on Weds. COMMENT: Surprising warmth when the sun is out and very cold when it disappears. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------