Today's Cairngorm Report still in preparation NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/2/96 A little fresh overnight snow has fallen in light variable winds giving small accumulations on most aspects.These fresh deposits show poor stability and fail easily with any shear tests. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) in steep slopes and gullies particularly on more NE aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/2/96 Further snow showers in light W winds will maintain a localised hazard on N and particularly through to NE facing slopes and gullies. Where these accumulations are greatest the avalanche hazard remains Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A healthy cover of rime exists on plateau areas otherwise cover remains poor and patchy below 850m ICING: Generally slow to develop. Buttresses are OK although still thin. COMMENT: Some easier gully lines becoming well banked out eg. Jacobs Ladder LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/2/96 Fresh snow and moderate W winds have formed localised areas of windslab at the tops of N, NE and E facing gullies, above 900m. This fresh slab is weakly bonded to the underlying snow. Where accumulations are greatest the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Large soft cornices are continuing to form above leeward slopes. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/2/96 Heavy snow accompanied by strong SE to SW winds will further load many sheltered slopes with unstable windslab. Accumulations will be greatest on slopes and gullies with a NW through SE aspect. The avalanche hazard will increase to High (Category 4). Cornices will be unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels ICING: Icy patches underlying fresh snow in places. COMMENT: Low level ice routes deteriorating on Friday afternoon. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/2/96 Fresh snow exists at most levels and has formed deep drifts in places. The greatest accumulation of new snow is on SW through to E facing slopes above 450m. Soft windslab has formed in sheltered areas but more especially in gullies. Where windslab has formed on steeper slopes or the new snow overlies water ice the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche activity observed SW aspect of Am Bodach. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/2/96 Heavy snowfall and southerly storm force winds on the summits will form large areas of unstable windslab on many slopes. Greatest accumulations will be on slopes with a W through to E aspect and in all sheltered gullies. The avalanche hazard will increase to High (Category 4) avalanches will occur where unstable windslab has formed in gullies,coire headwalls and on many steeper W to E facing slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels ICING: Ice at all levels COMMENT: Adverse conditions will make will make mountain activities very difficult. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/2/96 Some fresh deposits of soft windslab exist primarily on steep NE to E facing slopes and gullies. These localised deposits show poor stability and give rise to a Considerable (Category 3) avalanche hazard. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/2/96 Further snow becoming heavy with storm force winds will cause additional windslab development mainly on N facing slopes and gullies. Avalanches are likely where significant accumulations develop in these locations. Avalanche hazard Considerable (Catagory 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A thin cover at all levels on Thursday. Some improvement expected. ICING: Still developing. COMMENT: Very poor mountain conditions expected. Stormy. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/2/96 Fresh snow and moderate W winds have formed localised areas of windslab at the tops of N, NE and E facing gullies, above 900m. This fresh slab is weakly bonded to the underlying snow. Where accumulations are greatest the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Large soft cornices are continuing to form above leeward slopes. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/2/96 Heavy snow accompanied by strong SE to SW winds will further load many sheltered slopes with unstable windslab. Accumulations will be greatest on slopes and gullies with a NW through SE aspect. The avalanche hazard will increase to High (Category 4). Cornices will be unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels ICING: Icy patches underlying fresh snow in places. COMMENT: Low level ice routes deteriorating on Friday afternoon. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/2/96 Fresh snow exists at most levels and has formed deep drifts in places. The greatest accumulation of new snow is on SW through to E facing slopes above 450m. Soft windslab has formed in sheltered areas but more especially in gullies. Where windslab has formed on steeper slopes or the new snow overlies water ice the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche activity observed SW aspect of Am Bodach. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/2/96 Heavy snowfall and southerly storm force winds on the summits will form large areas of unstable windslab on many slopes. Greatest accumulations will be on slopes with a W through to E aspect and in all sheltered gullies. The avalanche hazard will increase to High (Category 4) avalanches will occur where unstable windslab has formed in gullies,coire headwalls and on many steeper W to E facing slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels ICING: Ice at all levels COMMENT: Adverse conditions will make will make mountain activities very difficult. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------