GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 8/2/98 Rain above the summits has rendered the snowpack wet and soft. Deeper snow lying on steep ground is weakly bonded to the underlying snow ice. Avalanche debris noted in Coire nan Lochan. In steep summit gullies the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 9/2/98 The mild conditions will continue with rain above the summits. As the snowpack becomes saturated it will consolidate and begin to stabilise. Remaining cornices will be unstable. On N to E facing corrie headwalls and in summit gullies the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 750m ICING: Thawing ice above 800m COMMENT: Caution required on ridges in strong winds ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 8/2/98 A rapid thaw at all levels accompanied by heavy rain and very strong SW winds has led to the development of weakly bonded wet slab. Gullies and slopes facing NW through E to S above 750m are at greatest risk. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Fresh avalanche debris was noted under virtually every gully in Coire Ardair and the Inner Coire. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 9/2/98 The rapid thaw will continue with rain at all levels and hurricane force SW winds. This will maintain the unstable wet slab conditions which will be found primarily on gullies and slopes facing N through E to S above 800m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). During late afternoon some light snow is possible on the summit. This may lead to shallow patches of windslab developing in summit bowls. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still quite a lot of snow in Coire Ardair and Inner Coire, but very patchy elsewhere. ICING: A lot of ice around but the thaw will probably destroy this. COMMENT: Most routes looking very good today (8/2/98) but they won't by tomorrow. Sorry!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 8/2/98 Thawing at all levels has led to wet snow instabilities within the snowpack. Unstable wet slab is present on slopes above 800m, especially on steep slopes and gullies with NE, E and SE aspects. Avalanche debris noted below East aspects of Ben Nevis. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 9/2/98 Continuing thaw conditions will gradually stabilise the snowpack. Any remaining unstable snow will be restricted to steep slopes with a NE through SE aspect. During Monday afternoon colder conditions will deposit snow above 1100m, with shallow accumulations forming on NE aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Cornices will continue to thaw and be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations in N and E facing corries. Continuing to thaw at all levels. ICING: Icy areas remain on watercourses and on some paths. COMMENT: Hazard of falling ice and rocks as thaw conditions continue. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 8/2/98 Mild conditions have left most of the snowpack moist and soft at all levels. On N to E aspects above 980m at the tops of gullies and sheltered areas there are some deeper areas of soft snow which is moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard for these areas is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 9/2/98 Mild temperatures with rain at all levels overnight and during the day will maintain the snowpack in a moist and soft condition. On N to E aspects there will be some remaining unstable areas on steeper slopes in gullies and sheltered areas above 980m where the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Any remaining cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mostly in N to E corries but moist at all levels. ICING: Some still there but will suffer in this thaw. COMMENT: Paths still have a lot of ice on them. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 8/2/98 A period of high instability is over. Debris from overnight avalanche activity noted in Ciste Mheread. Recent milder temperatures have consolidated the snowpack in most places. However, there is a localised Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche on E to SE-facing scarp slopes exposed to high potential loading from collapse-prone cornices overhanging these locations. Stability is good in most other areas. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 9/2/98 Stability is expected to be good in most areas. However, a continued slow thaw will continue to soften cornices over E to SE aspects which may become collapse prone during rain. Moderate (Category 2) hazard on steep E to SE aspects exposed to cornice collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Drifting remains on plateau. Rocks, heather and free water in many other places. ICING: It is not getting better (but easy gullies still do-able). COMMENT: Record temps predicted - and they ain't low! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------