CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 21/1/98 A slow thaw at all levels has set in. This together with very light rain has produced large areas of weakly bonded wet slab. This will be found primarily on slopes and gullies facing N through E to S above 750m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). At lower altitudes the snowpack has generally consolidated. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 22/1/98 Heavy rain at all levels overnight and tomorrow with strong SW winds will further moisten the snowpack. Wet unstable slab will be found mainly in gullies and slopes facing N through E to S above 750m. Avalanches are likely in these areas. The avalanche hazard will be (Considerable 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still general cover above 500m, but this will rise fast. ICING: Probably still there but zero visibility today. COMMENT: Hopefully this thaw will not destroy the promising ice conditions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 21/1/98 Thaw conditions to above the summits have led to wet snow instabilities within the snowpack. This unstable snow is mainly on steep slopes with a NW, N and NE slope aspect. Avalanche debris noted on NW aspects of Ben Nevis. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 22/1/98 The present thaw will continue overnight and on Thursday. This will lead to a gradual stabilisation of the snowpack. Any remaining unstable snow will be restricted to steep slopes mainly with a NW through NE aspect. Cornices will continue to thaw and be prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main snow cover above 800m. ICING: Any remaining ice continuing to thaw. COMMENT: Snow very soft underfoot. Very little climbing routes in condition. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 21/1/98 The mild southerly airstream and rain has started to moistened the snowpack at all altitudes. Localised areas of layered windslab still exists on slopes facing NW to NE and mainly above 750m. These deposits are mainly restricted to sheltered hollows and gullies which contain deep unstable snow where the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 22/1/98 Thaw conditions will continue to affect the area with SW winds and rain at most levels during Thursday. This will maintain moist accumulations of unstable snow above 750m in sheltered gullies and slopes with a NW through to NE aspect. Where deeper accumulations exist the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will be unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 600m. ICING: Thawing ice on rocks above 400m. COMMENT: Thawing at all levels. Deep soft wet snow in gullies which is weakly bonded and caution is required. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 21/1/98 With the freezing level around 800m for most of the day some stabilisation of the snowpack has taken place. Areas of weakly bonded windslab still exist however at the tops of steep NW to NE facing slopes and gullies above 900m where the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Cornices remain unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 22/1/98 A steady rise in temperature and rain will thaw the snowpack at all levels, leaving it weakly bonded in some places. A High (Category 4) hazard of avalanche will exist mainly on NW to NE facing slopes and gullies where wet snow avalanches will occur. Steep slopes of other aspects will also be a hazard where deposits overly snow ice. All cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The snow is consolidating at most levels. Subject to thaw at all levels on Thursday. ICING: Still lean, but may improve with the expected thaw freeze cycle. COMMENT: Freezing level well above the tops, lowering on Thursday night. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 21/1/98 A period of very poor instability overnight resulted in avalanche activity in the N.Corries. Avalanche debris was noted at the base of the Trident gullies area in Coire an t-Sneachda. Mild, relatively dry conditions during daylight hours have brought a degree of consolidation to the snowpack at most altitudes. However, some residual instability is present in a few areas high on scarp slopes of steep N aspects above 1050m. Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 22/1/98 Little change is expected in snow stability. Mild temperatures and rain, heavy later, will further moisten the snowpack and make any remaining cornices collapse or slump. N-facing scarp slopes exposed to high potential loading from collapsing cornices may show less good stability during heavy rain, but the avalanche hazard should remain Moderate (Category 2). The snowpack in all other locations should demonstrate good stability. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thawing wet snow at all elevations. Thigh deep drifts remain in places. ICING: Quality declining in thaw; further deterioration likely. COMMENT: Mild. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------