LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 8/3/98 Strong SE winds have scoured many slopes of fresh snow. A thin, stabilising melt-freeze crust exists on many aspects, particularly those in East facing corries. Some localised deposits of soft windslab exist mainly on NW aspects above 700m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 9/3/98 Cold and dry conditions are expected to prevail overnight and during Monday. Little change is expected to the present snow conditions. A thin, stabilising melt-freeze crust will remain on many aspects, particularly those in East facing corries. Some localised deposits of soft windslab will be present mainly on NW aspects above 700m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover above 500m. ICING: Freezing level remaining low through out Monday. COMMENT: Breakable crust on many approaches to routes making walking arduous. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 8/3/98 With little snow overnight and bright sunny weather, some stabilisation of the recent snow deposits has occurred. Some localised areas of unstable windslab still remain at the tops of steepest W to N facing slopes and gullies where the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 9/3/98 Continuing cold with no further snow showers throughout the period. The localised areas of less stable snow mainly at the tops of steep W to N facing slopes and gullies will persist. Some small loose snow avalanches are likely on steep slopes and rock outcrops exposed to the sun. The avalanche hazard remains Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow at all levels, with most lying in sheltered locations. There is even some powder lurking! ICING: Generally lean but improving. Turf mostly frozen COMMENT: Another fine day in prospect! Go on, avoid those Monday morning blues..... enjoy yourselves..! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 8/3/98 Although a very small amount of new snow fell last night it has had little affect on the overall conditions. Due to a melt /freeze cycle the snowpack has consolidated somewhat but instabilities are still apparent. A fresh SE wind has redistributed windslab onto mainly NW slopes but also N and NE aspects above 800m. The avalanche hazard is still Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 9/3/98 After a cold, calm night it should be another fine day. Light snow on variable light winds may arrive later in the day, but this will have little affect on the current snow conditions. Unstable windslab will persist on NW through to NE aspects above 800m, particularly at the tops of steep, sheltered gullies. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3) in the above mentioned areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover at all levels. ICING: Building well in places but mostly buried ( and therefore insulated ) by lots of snow. COMMENT: Superb ski-touring conditions at the moment. Yeeeehah! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 8/3/98 Colder conditions are increasing the general stability of the snowpack forming a melt freeze crust in many locations. On steeper slopes and gullies where layered slab underlies the crust the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 9/3/98 Cold conditions will further stabilise the existing snowpack as the surface crust becomes more extensive. Light snow showers and Southerly winds on Monday will form pockets of shallow windslab on N facing slopes and sheltered gullies. The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2) on steeper slopes and gullies where deep layered slab underlies the surface crust and in areas where shallow windslab forms. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 300m ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 400m COMMENT: Colder temperatures are improving conditions. Icy crust on much of snow cover, axe and crampons essential. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 8/3/98 S winds and overnight snow showers have drifted windslab high onto the steep scarp slopes and gully heads of many N aspects. Some new cornices have formed over these steep areas and are prone to collapse. Debris from several recent cornice-triggered avalanches was noted in Jacob's Ladder and the area immediately N of the Mess of Pottage crag in Coire an t-Sneachda. The avalanche hazard is localised but Considerable (Category 3) in the above locations. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 9/3/98 Generally stable weather conditions are expected to prevail over the period. Some marginal consolidation of existing snow deposits is possible, though most recently formed cornices over steep N aspects may remain collapse-prone. Snow on any sun-warmed E to SE aspects may soften and show less good stability later in the day. Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good plateaux cover with snow down to valley level. Excellent ski-touring conditions on Sunday and looking good for Monday too. ICING: Improving in natural drainage lines but overall quality and quantity remains poor to modest. N-facing gullies full of deep, slabby snow on Sunday with most groups giving them a wide berth. COMMENT: Blue sky day in the Cairngorms on Sunday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------