NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/3/05 Above 900 metres on all aspects colder temperatures have resulted in an icy crust developing on the snowpack surface . Westerly winds with snow have affected the area during the afternoon. Generally the snowpack is stable at present but isolated areas of unstable windslab exist in lee areas on North- East to South-East aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 10/3/05 Overnight North -Westerly winds will bring snow. During the day very strong winds will develop, unstable windslab will continue to accumulate on Easterly to Southerly aspects above 1000 metres where avalanches are likely. Cornices and gully exits will be affected and isolated accumulations will occur in sheltered locations in North facing corries. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Nightmare crust has developed above 800m - real shin cutters ! ICING: Very good climbing conditions developing. COMMENT: Another Pea Souper of a day ! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/3/05 Consolidation of the snowpack has continued in many areas, with no new snow having arrived at the time of writing the report. Moderately bonded snow exists in some areas, mostly on crag aprons and gully exits with an East through to South-West aspect above 950m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 10/3/05 Light winds and snow showers on Wednesday evening will be replaced by mostly dry conditions and strong winds on Thursday. As snowfall is expected to be small, the formation of windslab is likely to be limited and will collect on East through to Southerly aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best snow cover in East facing corries. ICING: Freezing level 1000m overnight, rising to 1100m on Thursday. COMMENT: If cornices start to thaw, they may become unstable. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/3/05 Dry, settled conditions overnight and this morning were followed by some light snow showers at the time of observations. Snowpack stability remains good in many areas but pockets of moderately bonded soft slab exist on the steepest slopes. Areas most affected are scarp slopes and sheltered hollows 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 THU 10/3/05 A band of light snow overnight will clear by morning with the possibility of the odd snow flurry during the course of the day. Strengthening North-Westerly winds will scour windward slopes and form unstable accumulations of shallow windslab on steep East to South facing slopes and also in sheltered gullies mainly above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Stability on windward slopes will remain good. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700 metres with best cover above 800m in Northerly and Easterly corries. ICING Freezing level rising to 1100 metres on Thursday. COMMENT: Becoming quite windy later in day. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/3/05 The majority of the snowpack is well bonded. Isolated areas of moderately bonded snow exist in steeper sheltered locations on E through S to W aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 10/3/05 There will be light snow showers overnight above 900 metres. By morning it will be dry with the freezing level rising to 1100 metres. Surface layers will soften but the remaining snow will be generally well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy wet snow at low levels. Good but broken cover at higher altitudes. ICING: 1100 metre freezing level on Thursday. COMMENT: Knee deep wet snow at lower levels! CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/3/05 It has been mild and generally dry for much of the day. This has resulted in further consolidation of the snowpack. Stability tests on an Easterly-facing slope above 850 metres showed improved bonding of recent layers. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 10/3/05 Light snow showers overnight dying out for Thursday with freezing levels staying around summits. This will be unlikely to bring any significant change to the current conditions. On-going consolidation of the most recent snow deposits on steep East to South aspects above 850 metres will continue to improve stability. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover beginning around 600 metres, best in summit areas. ICING: Good ice on some steeper pitches, still a lot of cruddy snow around in between. COMMENT: Strengthening winds will make for less pleasant mountain conditions Thursday p.m. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------