NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/1/98 No new snow overnight but strong E then SE winds have resulted in unstable pillows of fresh windslab developing on NW to NE facing slopes. As the day progresses these areas are becoming more unstable with further windblown deposits accumulating on them. The avalanche hazard in these steepest locations is High (Category 4). Slab avalanche triggered on N facing slope at 1100m Coire Cas headwall. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/1/98 Further snow overnight on strong SW winds followed by a sharp rise in temperature and heavy rain early/mid morning will see a period of extreme instability of all recent accumulations. Avalanches will occur on all aspects of slope where any recent build-ups have occured. During this transitional period the avalanche hazard will be Very High (Category 5). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow lying at all levels with heavy drifting in sheltered locations. ICING: What build up has developed likely to become severely depleted in the next 24 hours. COMMENT: Poor mountain conditions as events turn to warm wet and windy. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/1/98 Strong southerly winds during today have started to form fresh areas of windslab. These deposits are generally restricted to the tops of slopes and gullies with a Northerly aspect. Some areas of harder slab are still present on S and W aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/1/98 Thaw conditions are expected overnight and on Wednesday. This will lead to wet snow instabilities at all levels. Avalanche activity is expected to be localised with the highest hazard on slopes with a NW through NE aspect. Hazard will also be present on S and W aspects where windslab is present. Wet snow avalanches are likely in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow will thaw at all altitudes as the freezing level rises to well above the summits. ICING: Ice will thaw at all levels, although some footpaths and icy patches will be present during the morning. COMMENT: Gale force winds and heavy rain on Wednesday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/1/98 The Southerly wind has deposited layered windslab on slopes facing NW to NE mainly above 600m. Sheltered hollows and gullies contain deep unstable snow. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/1/98 Heavy snow turning to rain at all levels will create a rapid thaw. The snowpack will be very unstable for a time as it becomes saturated. Later the rain will consolidate and begin to stabilise existing soft slab. Where deep snow lies on steep ground such as summit gullies avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500m. ICING: Ice on rocks above 400m. COMMENT: Rapid thaw at all levels will strip buttresses but will consolidate deep soft snow in gullies later. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/1/98 Strong E to S winds throughout the day have been redistributing the recent deposits of snow on to W and N facing slopes and gullies above 800m. This rapid wind slab build up and cornice development is weakly bonded in most places, especially at the tops of steep slopes and scarps. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/1/98 Snow showers overnight and strong S to SW winds will lead to further accumulations of snow on NW to NE facing slopes and gully areas above 600m. Around mid morning a rapid rise in temperature and rain will thaw the snowpack at all levels. A High (Category 4) hazard of avalanche will exist mainly on NW to NE facing slopes and gullies where avalanches will occur. Steep slopes of other aspects will also be a hazard where deposits overlie snow ice. All cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Unconsolidated snow lying at all levels, drifting in strong winds. ICING: Still very lean, and buried under snow COMMENT: A rapid thaw expected at all levels. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/1/98 Variable winds have re-distributed the recent accumulations of windslab. There has been some consolidation at lower levels but areas of unstable slab may be found on almost any aspect above 600m. Avalanche activity noted in Coire a' Chriochairein. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/1/98 Heavy snow overnight on strong S/SW winds will cause windslab to form on NW through to E facing slopes above 600m. At first light, the freezing level will rise to well above the summits causing a period of high instability and wet snow avalanches. Due to the present deep accumulations, almost any aspect will be affected although NW through to E facing slopes will present the greatest danger. High (Category 4) hazard of avalanche. Avalanches will occur in the above mentioned areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep snow above Aberarder. ICING: Ice has formed on most routes, but it'll probably all melt tomorrow (21/1/98). COMMENT: Still very difficult to travel anywhere on Creag Meagaidh at the moment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------