NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/3/98 Areas of drifted snow exist primarily on E to SE slopes. Above 1000m on these aspects some instabilities persist and stability tests produced moderate shears on these most recent windblown deposits. Considerable (Category 3) where steepest locations are overhung by new cornices. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/3/98 Cold conditions will continue, with only a very little amount of new snow. Moderate mostly W winds will drift any available recent deposits and some instability of these accumulations can be expected mainly on steep E slopes with the potential for some cross loading onto NE and SE aspects. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3) where instabilities are greatest in these locations. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Drifted snow in plateau areas with general cover still mostly cosmetic. ICING: Lean COMMENT: Some improvement in opportunities for winter fun. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/3/98 Fresh unstable windslab exists on sheltered N, NE and E aspects above 1000m. Avalanche activity noted in Easy Gully of Aonach Mor. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3), where this unstable windslab exists. Elsewhere a frozen crust has helped to stabilise the snowpack. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/3/98 Cold conditions will maintain the present snowpack. Unstable windslab will be present on N, NE, and E facing slopes and gullies, main accumulations will be above 1000m. As Wednesday progresses moderate snowfall is expected above 400m with a W becoming N wind, this will load SE and S facing slopes with unstable windslab. Avalanches are likely in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will continue to form and be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain on sheltered NE and E slopes. ICING: Ice continuing to form, as freezing level remains low. COMMENT: Ice axe and crampons essential for all hill walkers. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/3/98 A dusting of new snow and a brief rise then falling temperatures have given the snowpack a thin crust. At lower altitudes particularly on sunny E facing slopes the snow is wet and soft and is frequently sluffing. Above 800m in sheltered N to E facing gullies deep soft slab remains. Avalanche hazard Considerable (Category 3) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/3/98 The cold conditions will continue with a dusting of new snow above 300m. Areas of soft slab will remain on sheltered N to E facing slopes with unstable cornices above. Where deeper windslab lies in steep summit gullies the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500m ICING: Ice above 700m COMMENT: Temperatures to drop further. Ice runnels and frozen turf on buttresses. Gullies full of soft slab some low level gullies contain thin ice! SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/3/98 New snow deposits are starting to bond but unstable areas still exist on steeper slopes of gullies and sheltered areas of N to E aspects. Avalanche debris was noted at the bottom of Parallel A gully. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/3/98 There will be a little new snow during the day but in general the snow cover will be moderately well bonded. Unstable areas remain on steep slopes of sheltered areas and at the tops of gullies on N to E aspects where the avalanche hazard will be Considerable Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snowcover still remains thin with deepest accumulations in E gullies. ICING: Improving with turf mainly frozen. COMMENT: Higher footpaths will be very icy in places. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 3/3/98 Westerly winds overnight and today have deposited shallow accumulations of unstable windslab at the tops of steep N through to SE facing slopes above 800m. Scarp slopes beneath freshly formed cornices and sheltered gullies and hollows are most affected. In these localised areas the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere milder temperatures have helped to consolidate the snowpack. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 4/3/98 Light snow on W to NW winds will continue to deposit windslab on steep N through to SE facing slopes above 800m. Sheltered gullies and hollows will be most affected. In these areas the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will remain unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels. Main accumulations are on N to E facing slopes. ICING: Easier climbs such as The Sash and Glass Slipper are complete, insufficient ice on the harder routes. COMMENT: Deep snow on path but we've broken a nice trail in for you. Please leave donations at Aberarder Farm! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------