NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/2/98 Further light snowfall over the period with strong W winds has maintained a Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche. Areas of less stable windblown deposits persist in highest elevations, primarily on E through to S facing aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/2/98 Only very light new snow over the period with very strong W winds. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3) where recent pockets of less stable windblown deposits have developed, primarily on E through to S facing slopes and gully tops. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Dusting of snow only down to 500m Some drifting at higher elevations. ICING: Variable with fair snow ice in main gully lines. Lean in more popular steep ice routes. COMMENT: Many loose rocks still present due to overall lack of snow build up in popular venues. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/2/98 Snow showers and strong Westerly winds have continued to load sheltered areas with fresh snow. This snow has formed as soft unstable windslab and is poorly bonded to the underlying snow layers. Main accumulations exist at the tops of NE, E and SE facing slopes and gullies above 1000m. In these locations the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Soft unstable cornices have also formed above these aspects. Avalanche incident reported in Coire an Lochain, Aonach Mor. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/2/98 Snow accompanied by strong Westerly winds will continue overnight and during Wednesday. Areas of unstable snow will continue to form, with greatest accumulations being at the tops of NE, E and SE facing slopes and gullies above 1000m. Avalanches will occur in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Cornices will continue to form and be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow falling above 800m. ICING: Freezing level remaining at around 800m. COMMENT: Soft unstable snow present at the tops of many gullies. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/2/98 New snow above 850m and Westerly winds are forming areas of windslab in sheltered locations and on slopes mainly of an Easterly aspect above 900m, these deposits are increasing. Where windslab has formed on old snow ice the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/2/98 Strong W to SW winds and moderate falls of new snow will form fresh unstable accumulations of windslab above 850m in sheltered gullies and slopes with a NE to SE aspect. Avalanches are likely where deeper accumulations of windslab have formed on steeper slopes and sheltered gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices above NE to SE slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700m. ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 600m. COMMENT:Fresh snow on higher ridges and buttresses, unstable windslab forming in gullies and sheltered slopes. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/2/98 Strong W winds have transported recent deposits of snow, forming small areas of windslab mainly on E aspects. Some localised deposits also exist on sheltered N gullies. These new deposits although small are only moderately to weakly bonded to existing snow ice on steep slopes above 900m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) where accumulations are greatest AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/2/98 A slight thaw overnight followed by a freeze will stabilise the existing snowpack. During Wednesday strong W winds and light snowfall will lead to some new deposits of moderately to weakly bonded snow above 800m mainly on E facing slopes. Sheltered N facing gullies may also be affected. The avalanche hazard will become Considerable (Category 3) where deposits are greatest. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy, with most deposits in N to E facing corries and sheltered areas above 900m. ICING: Generally lean but of reasonable quality. COMMENT: A slight thaw followed by freeze will improve recent unconsolidated snow on buttresses. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/2/98 Fresh snow overnight and today on a strong W wind has led to further build up of weakly bonded, unstable windslab. Slopes, gullies and hollows facing N through E to SSE, above 900m are affected. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/2/98 Light snow overnight and tomorrow and strong W winds will lead to further build up of unstable, weakly bonded windslab. The areas of greatest hazard are gullies, slopes and hollows facing NNE to SSE above 850m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still fairly sparse, although the plateau now has reasonable cover. ICING: Still building, but far from perfect. COMMENT: If visiting at weekends or busy periods please park sensibly and do not block access to the farm track in case of an emergency. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------