NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 7/3/98 E to SW winds and heavy snowfall combined to create accumulations of very poorly stabilised windslab on most steep W to N aspects. Recent avalanche debris in Central gully and the Runnel in Coire an t- Sneachda evidenced a period of early morning avalanche activity. Rapid loading of unstable windslab was apparent late in the period when numerous, sizeable avalanches were triggered on W-facing test slopes at 920m. The avalanche hazard remains High (Category 4) in all the above areas. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/3/98 Additional overnight snowfall - tapering out during the day - on N to NE winds will result in new marginally-stabilised windslab deposits on steep S to SW aspects where avalanches are likely. Some wind-scouring of most recent slab deposits high on N aspects is possible, but these areas should nevertheless be treated with caution. Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Much improved in most locations with snow down to valley level. Deep drifts in places above 800m. ICING: Still relatively modest in quantity but slowly improving. Many N-facing gullies full of new, deep slab and avalanche debris(!) on Saturday. COMMENT: Winter awakens with a roar. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 7/3/98 Fluctuating temperatures during the day have consolidated the existing snowpack. Below 1000m the snowpack is gradually thawing and is generally stable. Above 1000m most of the snowpack is covered by a thin melt-freeze crust. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/3/98 Moderate amounts of fresh snow accompanied by strong NE winds are expected overnight. The existing snowpack will re-freeze and consolidate at all levels. Fresh areas of unstable windslab will form in sheltered locations, main accumulations being at the tops of S, SW and W aspects. Where accumulations are of significant quantity, the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow expected at all levels on Saturday evening. 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 SAT 7/3/98 A rapid rise in temperature has started to consolidate the unstable snowpack. Wet granular snow is present in the surface layers of the snowpack but deeper into the pack layered soft slab containing hail still exists. The greatest accumulations are in sheltered gullies above 850m on virtually all aspect of slope. Where these accumulations are deep and lying on steep slopes the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/3/98 Temperatures should fall again during Saturday evening to all levels and remain cold for the period with little or no precipitation. The snowpack will start to re-freeze, consolidating and generally stablising the miost snowpack. On steep slopes and steep gully headwalls some instability may still exist and in these areas the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 300m ICING: Wet ice above 600m, should re-freeze soon. COMMENT: Improving conditions with re-freezing occuring at most levels. Gullies still require some caution as the snowpack does contain some hail within its layers. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 7/3/98 Varying winds over the past few days have led to localised unstable deposits on many sheltered gullies and slopes. The most recent windslab formation has been mainly on W to N slopes and sheltered gullies. These deposits are weakly bonded especially on steep slopes and scarps where a High (Category 4) hazard of avalanche exists. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/3/98 Cold conditions overnight with moderate snow showers and strong NE winds will maintain the instabilities in the snowpack. Further windslab build up mainly on SW through to N facing slopes and gullies will be weakly bonded, especially on steep slopes where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow at all levels, with most on W aspects. Further amounts expected. ICING: Generally poor but improving. Turf mostly frozen COMMENT: Relatively good Nordic Ski Touring to be had. Go and enjoy it before El Nino takes it away again! CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 7/3/98 Heavy snow overnight on strong Easterly winds has led to a build up of very unstable windslab. Deep instabilities are present within the snowpack on steep slopes, gullies and sheltered hollows of virtually all aspects above 700m. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Avalanche debris noted at the bottom of Raeburn's Gully and Easy Gully. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/3/98 Moderate falls of snow overnight accompanied by strong Northerly winds and a drop in temperature will lead to a further build up of very unstable windslab. The colder conditions will continue through tomorrow and maintain existing instabilities in the snowpack. Steep slopes and gullies of virtually all aspects above 700m will continue to be hazardous. Avalanches will occur in these areas. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover at all levels. ICING: Continuing to build but mostly buried at present. COMMENT: Excellent snow conditions for ski touring today. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------