CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 01/01/98 Heavy snow showers overnight on a storm force S wind has deposited large amounts of deep, unstable, hard windslab. Sheltered gullies, hollows and slopes facing W through N to E, above 950m are particularly affected. The avalanche hazard for today is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 02/01/98 A very brief thaw followed by more snow on a storm force SW wind will lead to further accumulations of windslab on top of the already weakly bonded snowpack. In sheltered gullies, hollows, and slopes facing N to E, above 950m avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The snow line will rise to about 800m and remain patchy except on the plateau. ICING: Probably thickening in the freeze/thaw cycles at present. COMMENT: Extremely windy overnight, but should relent a bit tomorrow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 01/01/98 Storm conditions with hurricane force S winds have brought some small quantities of fresh snow. In a few sheltered locations above 800m these deposits lie as windslab. Although very localised these deposits give rise to a Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche on mostly N aspects. Elsewhere slopes are scoured hard and icy. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 02/01/98 Continuing very stormy overnight with hurrican S winds easing but remaining still strong WSW on Friday. Snow showers throughout this period will see the development of further windslab in any very sheltered locations, primarily in steep N to NE gully tops. Where significant new build up exists in these locations avalanches are likely. Considerable (Category 3) avalanche hazard. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very sparse, general covering remains in plateau areas. ICING: Slowly improving with periods of freeze/thaw. COMMENT: Less stormy but still some way off a winter wonderland! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 1/1/98 Gale force S winds have deposited new snow above 500m. However the greatest accumulations of new snow is above 850m in gullies and sheltered hollows with a northerly aspect. Fresh shallow windslab has formed in sheltered areas on NW-E facing slopes above 850m. Where windslab exists in these locations the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 2/1/98 Storm force conditions will continue to affect the area for most of Thursday night. Friday will be slightly colder with strong blustery showers from the SW this will add further layers to existing windslab above 800m. In sheltered summit gullies these deposits may become deep and unstable and the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornice collapse is also likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500m. ICING: Ice forming on rocks above 800m. COMMENT:Continuing with SW gales easing only slightly on Friday. Drifting snow above 800m. HAPPY NEW YEAR! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 1/1/98 Heavy precipitation with a freezing level around 1200m has produced an unstable snowpack above 800m. Greatest accumulations of unstable snow exist on N, NE and E aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 2/1/98 Colder temperatures during Friday will stabilise the existing wet snowpack below about 1150m. Above this altitude, areas of unstable windslab will still be present. Accumulations will be greatest on scarp slopes with a N, NE and E aspect where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) in these locations. Above 1150m, new cornices will also be unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in N and E facing corries above 800m. ICING: Freezing level lowering to 750m during Friday. COMMENT: Stormy winds moderating. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 01/01/98 Most slopes are generally quite sparse and stable although SE winds and fresh snow showers have led to new accumulations of snow at the tops of gullies and in sheltered locations on N to E aspects. Where these new accumulations are at their greatest and overlie older snow ice the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 02/01/98 The very stormy weather overnight continuing with W to SW winds and some snow during the day will leave new deposits on sheltered areas of N to NE aspects above 900m. Where these deposits are at their greatest and overlie existing snow ice the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Above 900m, very sparse. ICING: Very lean but turf mainly frozen. COMMENT: Difficult mountain conditions. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------