NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 13/3/05 Snow showers have crossed the mountains on very cold North-Westerly winds. Weakly bonded windslab has continued to build on North-East through to Southerly aspects above 850 metres. Tests showed a very weak graupel layer beneath surface layers on a South-East aspect at 1090 metres and at the same altitude on a North-East aspect avalanche activity was observed. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 14/3/05 Snow showers will become lighter on strong Westerly winds. Windslab will continue to build on existing sub-surface weaknesses mainly on North-East through to Southerly aspects above 850 metres where avalanches are likely. A deep-seated weakness will remain on areas such as the West Wall of Lochain and lee aspects of North-facing gully tops will also be affected by localised windslab. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally good cover with a breakable crust. ICING: Plenty of good routes being done in the Corries today. COMMENT: Frostbite conditions on plateau with summit temperatures as low as minus 9.7 today. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 13/3/05 Areas of weakly bonded windslab are present in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are on steep scarp slopes and crag aprons with an East, South-East and South aspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 14/3/05 Snow showers and moderate Westerly winds will continue to from areas of unstable snow in sheltered locations. Unstable windslab will generally be present on steep scarp slopes and crag aprons with an East, South-East and South aspect. Avalanches are likely in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels today (Sunday). ICING: Remaining cold at all levels. COMMENT: Fresh unstable cornices remaining. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 13/3/05 A very cold North becoming Westerly airflow has firmed up and scoured much of the snowpack forming an icy crust and rendering it generally stable in many areas. New snow fell mainly overnight followed by the odd shower today. Wind transport of both new and existing snow has formed windslab in sheltered areas such as summit gullies and on scarp slopes with an Easterly to Southerly aspect mainly above 950 metres. Stability of these accumulations is poor on steeper slopes, in particular gully exits and areas below cornices. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 14/3/05 It will remain cold with occasional or very light snow showers overnight and on Monday. Westerly winds will form fresh windslab in sheltered areas such as gullies and on slopes with an North-East to South-East aspect mainly above 900 metres. Bonding will be poor where any deeper accumulations of fresh windslab form on steeper slopes. Scarp slopes and gully exits will be most affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Many windward slopes will be scoured and icy. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800 metres ICING: Freezing all levels overnight,100 metres Monday. COMMENT: Strong Westerly winds easing on Monday. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 13/3/05 Moderately to weakly bonded windslab is to be found in very sheltered locations on E to S aspects above 600 metres. These localised deposits are very cold, dry and remain unstable. Most slopes are scoured and icy. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 14/3/05 There will be little change to the current situation with the temperatures remaining very cold and light snow showers forecast. Consolidation will take place very slowly and moderately to weakly bonded windslab will be found in very sheltered locations on E to S aspects above 600 metres. Limited accumulations will develop on NE aspects overnight. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Icy re-frozen slopes with some fresh powder snow in sheltered locations. ICING: Very icy underfoot in places with some firm snow-ice around. COMMENT: Icy paths hiding under a little snow! CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 13/3/05 It has been another cold day with frequent snow showers on North-West winds. Weakly-bonded windslab has become more widespread on steep terrain above 850 metres. Easy shears were noted in all new slab deposits that lie on very sheltered North- East through East to South-facing scarp slopes and gully tops. Fresh avalanche debris noted below steep East to South-East aspects in Coire a' Chriochairein. The avalanche hazard remains Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 14/3/05 Snow showers will continue on strong to moderate West winds. Accumulations of weakly-bonded windslab will continue to develop and become deeper on steep scarp slopes and sheltered gullies. Most affected will be North-East through East to South- East-facing aspects above 850 metres where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best almost unbroken cover above 700m. Heavy drifting above 800m on Sunday. ICING: Remaining fair. COMMENT: Careful route selection required as drifting will continue even when snow showers moderate on Monday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------