NO CARRIER NO CARRIER NO CARRIER NO CARRIER NO CARRIER NO CARRIER NO CARRIER NO CARRIER NO CARRIER ATDT0181 8620236 NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/2/96 Some consolidation of recent unstable snow has taken place on N to NE facing slopes. Light snow showers on SW winds have created some new localised windslab in these areas where a Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche is maintained. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/2/96 Heavy snow overnight will ease. Wind from S then W. This will result in additional windslab build up on N through to E facing slopes and gullies where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard in these areas will increase to High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remains generally good above 500m ICING: Fair, although many buttress lines are still thin. COMMENT: Decreasing winds on Sunday should maintain good skiing conditions. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/2/96 A Considerable (Category 3) hazard prevails. Unstable windslab exists on sheltered slopes and gullies with a NW through to E aspect. At the tops of some slopes, there are localised deep deposits of this unstable windslab. Cornices are unstable and prone to collapse above NE and E aspects. Avalanche activity observed on E aspects of Aonach Mor. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/2/96 Overnight, a large amount of snow accompanied by SSE veering W winds is expected. This will continue to load unstable windslab on slopes and gullies with a NW to E slope orientation, where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will increase to High (Category 4). Cornices will remain unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 600m. ICING: Some windblown slopes remain icy. COMMENT: Ice routes remain thin, although continuing to form. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/2/96 Avalanches have occured,notably Forked Gully.Many sheltered hollows and gullies contain deep soft slab mainly on slopes above 700m facing N to E.Where layered windslab lies on steep ground such as corrie side/headwalls and summit gullies the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/2/96 Heavy snow showers at all levels will deposit further layers of soft slab onto N to E facing slopes.Unstable windslab will exist in many sheltered hollows and gullies mainly above 700m. On steep corrie walls and summit gullies, where deep windslab lies, avalanches will occur.Avalanche hazard High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500m. ICING: Ice above 650m. COMMENT: Approaches to climbs and descents into gullies and corries require caution.Buttresses well plastered,on ridges keep to the crests! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------