NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/3/05 The snowpack has consolidated further during the day on all aspects and is generally stable. Weaknesses still exist at depth in localised lee areas and on steep terrain on East to South-Westerly aspects above 950 metres but are generally supported by the upper layers in the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/3/05 Overnight North-West winds will be mainly dry. By the afternoon strong winds from the West will carry precipitation falling as snow above 600 metres. This will accumulate on North-East to South- Easterly aspects above 600 metres where unstable windslab will form in localised lee areas. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Firmer snow giving better walking generally but still deep going on steeper ground. ICING: Steadily improving climbing conditions. COMMENT: Colder temps will improve things further. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/3/05 Monday night and Tuesday have remained dry with light winds. Some consolidation of the snowpack has occurred and it is moderately well bonded in many areas. Moderate to weakly bonded snow exists in localised areas on some crag aprons and gully exits above 950m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/3/05 Strong winds from the North-West or West are expected during Wednesday, bringing snowfall to higher ground. When this snow arrives, windslab will be deposited in sheltered areas, with greatest accumulations on scarp slopes and gully exits with a North-East through to South-East aspect. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mostly good cover above 800m. ICING: Freezing level around 700m on Wednesday. COMMENT: Snowfall is expected by Wednesday afternoon. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/3/05 Dry, settled conditions are maintaining good snowpack stability in many areas. Areas of moderately bonded older windslab remain in sheltered hollows and scarp slopes with an East to South aspect with some of these accumulations also in the most sheltered summit gullies above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/3/05 Cool and dry conditions through most of the period will maintain much of the snowpack in a stable condition. Very light snow showers later on Wednesday will have little effect on the overall hazard. Some instabilities will remain on steeper slopes where deeper accumulations of old windslab exist. These isolated accumulations will mainly be on East to South slopes and also in sheltered summit gullies above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) but bonding of the deepest accumulations and cornice stability may deteriorate with the effects of strong solar warming. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 600 metres with best cover above 800m in Northerly and Easterly corries. ICING Freezing level 700 metres. COMMENT: Mainly dry till Wednesday afternoon. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/3/05 Recent deposits continue to consolidate with a strong melt- freeze crust present on many slopes this morning. There is a great deal of variety underfoot with both breakable crust and soft snow also present. The majority of snow is now well bonded with just steeper sheltered locations on E through S to W aspects above 900 metres holding deeper accumulations that are moderately bonded. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/3/05 There will be little change to the current situation with the majority of snow being well bonded. Steeper sheltered locations on E through S to W aspects above 900 metres will hold deeper accumulations that will continue to be moderately bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Shallow deposits are thawing in the sun but cover remains good higher up. ICING: Previously snowy S aspects have improved with two cycles of melt-freeze. COMMENT: Just a trace of new snow expected on Wednesday afternoon. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 8/3/05 General consolidation of the snowpack has continued in milder, dry conditions. Strong sunshine has aided consolidation particularly on Southerly aspects leaving the snowpack with a soft surface layer. Field tests produced a moderate shear on a shady East aspect at 900 metres. Easterly aspects above 850 metres, particularly steep extreme slopes remain of concern. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 9/3/05 Light snow showers on a strong Westerly wind are expected through the day. Shallow fresh windslab will begin to re-form on North-East through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Deposits will be deepest in sheltered gullies, hollows and on scarp slopes below cornices. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 600 metres. ICING: Good ice on some steeper pitches, still a lot of cruddy snow around in between. COMMENT: Some steeper gully exits remain poor with soft snow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------