SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/3/05 It has been a very mild but dry day. The remaining snow continues to thaw rapidly. Surface layers are soft and wet but the snow is generally stable. Cornice remnants remain but most are now slumping into the slopes. Cracks have appeared at the tops of steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/3/05 It will be a very wet and mild day with the thaw continuing at a rapid rate. The remaining snow will be soft and wet but generally stable. Small amounts of snow will fall from steeper crags and cornices in the very wet conditions but the greatest hazard will be from falling rocks and ice. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Broken cover in the Cairngorms. Very limited patches in the White Mounth. ICING: Plus 9 degrees at 1000 metres on Friday! COMMENT: Snow bridges over fast flowing burns are prone to collapse! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/3/05 Very mild and wet conditions have reduced the snowpack with the greatest accumulations now remaining in the higher Northern and Eastern corries. The remaining snowpack is soft wet and is generally stable on all but the very steepest slopes where wet snow instabilities remain. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) in these areas. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/3/05 The mild and very wet conditions will continue overnight and through Friday. The snowpack will be soft and wet with stability generally good on all but the steepest North to Easterly facing slopes and in sheltered gullies where wet snow and cornice instabilities will remain. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly above 900 metres in Northern and Eastern corries. ICING: Freezing level 2000 -2500 metres for period COMMENT: Mild and wet conditions look set to continue. Less windy than of late. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/3/05 The prolonged thaw has resulted in a much depleted and very moist snowpack at all levels. Cornice collapse / slumping is evident on East through to South-East aspects The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/3/05 The thaw conditions will continue. High rain is forecast which will further deplete and moisten the remaining snowpack. Cornice areas, particularly on East through to South-East aspects will continue to be a cause for concern. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Restricted to gullies and high tops. ICING: Freezing levels well above summits. COMMENT: Said Murphy to Paddy `did you know today was your day' - is that right Murphy. Well there ye go, fill yer boots. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/3/05 Warm and wet conditions have continued overnight and during Thursday. The snowpack is wet but reasonably consolidated in many areas. Wet snow instabilities are generally restricted to steep aspects above 900m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/3/05 Heavy rain and strong South-West or Westerly winds will bring rain overnight and during Friday. The snowpack will remain reasonably consolidated in most areas. On Friday, wet snow instabilities will be generally restricted to steep aspects over 900m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Any remaining cornices will be unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels. ICING: Freezing level around 2500m on Friday. COMMENT: Falling ice is still a hazard in some areas. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/3/05 A dry warm Westerly wind has affected the area and snow has been ablated from all aspects and altitudes. The snowpack has been moistened to ground level. On most aspects and altitudes the snowpack is moderately well bonded. On steep East to Southerly slopes above 900 m weaknesses do remain at depth. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/3/05 Overnight and throughout the day rain is expected on South-Westerly winds. Moisture will penetrate the snowpack further and weak layers will become more unstable. Weaknesses remain at depth on steep East to Southerly slopes above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet good cover on plateau. ICING: Buttresses are black. COMMENT: Thaw is to continue. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------