NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 3/3/05 It was a fine morning in the area but with increasingly strong winds from the North-West and snowfall in late afternoon. Warmer temperatures have helped with snow settlement and stability on most aspects below 800 metres. The North-Westerly winds are progressively increasing the drifted snow accumulations on East to Southerly aspects above 700 metres where the snowpack is weakly bonded. A large avalanche crown wall was noted on a South-Easterly aspect at 1050 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/3/05 Strong North-Westerly to North-North-Westerly winds with heavy snow overnight and heavy snow showers during the day will affect the area. Weakly bonded windslab will continue to develop on Easterly through to South Westerly aspects above 600 metres where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep snow cover above 600m remains and provides difficult trailbreaking. ICING: Deep snow predominates but good climbing still to be found. COMMENT: More snow expected !! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 3/3/05 South-West and Westerly winds have continued to transport and deposit dry snow as windslab in many sheltered locations. As a result of varying wind directions, windslab has formed on South through to West, and more recently, on some North-East and East aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/3/05 Snow is expected this evening followed by light snow showers tonight and on Friday. This snow will be accompanied by strengthening North-West or Northerly winds. Unstable windslab will form in many sheltered locations, with greatest accumulations on slopes above 900m with an East, South-East and South aspect. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow remaining at most levels. ICING: Freezing level around 300m on Friday. COMMENT: Cold conditions expected to continue. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 3/3/05 It was a pleasant winter day with Northerly winds and no precipitation. Windslab is present in many sheltered locations on SE through to W aspects but also in many sheltered gullies above 800m. Loose snow instability exists on steep scarp slopes and in sheltered gully exits.The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/3/05 Snow showers accompanied by strong NW winds will affect the area during Thursday night becoming less frequent during Friday. Accumulations of windslab will continue to form on SE to S aspects and in sheltered locations mainly above 750m. Where deep accumulations of windslab exist they 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 in Northerly corries ICING: Freezing level 600m during Thursday night, 400m on Friday. 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 THU 3/3/05 Moderately to weakly bonded windslab is present on SE through S to W aspects above 600 metres. Deeper drifts contain dry layered snow that is demonstrating deep-seated weakness as well as surface instability. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/3/05 There will be further snowfall early this evening followed by showers tomorrow especially later in the day. Strong winds will cause heavy drifting of deposits with windslab rapidly forming in sheltered locations on E through S to SW aspects, where avalanches will occur. Unstable deposits are already present in these locations and the additional new load will provide the trigger for avalanche activity. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). W aspects will hold moderately to weakly bonded deposits. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover from valley level. Deep drifts on South aspects. ICING: Continuing cold. Walk-ins and clearing will be hard work on some aspects. COMMENT: Heavy drift expected in the 50-mph winds. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 3/3/05 After a period of instability, light winds, cool temperatures and little daytime precipitation have helped bring some consolidation to the most recent snow accumulations. Deepest deposits lie on very steep South-East to South-West aspects above 750 metres and some of these are overhung by large new cornices. Easy shears showed up in cold, soft sub-surface layers at higher altitudes where stability remains marginal. Debris from four avalanches was noted on very steep South-East to South-South- West aspects, three of which were cornice-triggered. Wind- scoured slopes are hard, icy and stable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/3/05 Strengthening North-West winds and more snow showers are expected overnight and during Friday. Weakly-stabilised windslab will accumulate on all steep, sheltered East to South- facing slopes and gullies where avalanches are likely. Cornices that already overhang these locations will continue to grow and become unstable. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover remains good above 350m. Deep drifts remain in many places. ICING: Crags looking very white and plastered. COMMENT: Heaviest snow on Friday likely to be later in the day. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------