CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 10/3/98 Milder temperatures and light rain/sleet today have left the snowpack moist and soft. There has been a reasonable amount of consolidation but on steeper NW through to E aspects above 800m, unstable wet slab still exists. The avalanche hazard remains Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 11/3/98 With a freeze at all levels tonight, the existing wet snowpack will consolidate on all aspects. However moderate snowfalls on a very strong NW wind will quickly form new deposits of unstable windslab on N through to SE facing slopes and gullies above 700m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3), with avalanches likely on the above mentioned aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 400m but rising in today's thaw. ICING: The milder conditions are helping to strip off the thick blanket of snow, which was hindering the build up of ice. So if it freezes again, it should improve. COMMENT: Large cornices evident above Coire a' Chriochairein. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 10/3/98 New snow on the higher tops and Southerly winds have formed unstable accumulations of windslab in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a N to E aspect mainly above 900m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) where deeper accumulations of windslab have formed. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 11/3/98 Colder conditions with new snow and strong Northwest winds overnight and on Wednesday will form fresh accumulations of weakly bonded windslab on slopes with an E to S apect and in sheltered gullies above 800m. Where deeper accumulations of windslab form the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches are likely in these areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500m ICING: Ice on rocks above 800m COMMENT: Climbing conditions will improve as colder weather returns. Best prospects on higher buttresses. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 10/3/98 Heavy snowfall accompanied by S to SW winds, have loaded sheltered slopes and gullies with deep unstable windslab. Greatest accumulations are above 1000m on slopes facing NW through E. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Very large, unstable cornices are present above NE and E facing slopes and gullies. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 11/3/98 Overnight and on Wednesday, continuing snowfall with a NW wind, will further load sheltered slopes and gullies, with unstable windslab. Main accumulations will be above 1000m, on slopes facing NE through S, where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4). Large cornices will continue to form above NE, E and SE facing slopes and gullies, these cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Dry snow above 1000m, heavy drifting in sheltered locations. ICING: Cold conditions returning overnight, with freezing at all levels on Wednesday. COMMENT: 50mph winds at 1200m, will lead to extreme wind-chill factor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 10/3/98 Strong SW winds and snow showers have combined to create accumulations of very poorly stabilised windslab on most N aspects. Deep, recent avalanche debris was noted below the Trident gullies area in Coire an t-Sneachda. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) in all similar locations. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 11/3/98 More snow showers, colder temperatures and strong NW winds will bring about marginally to poorly stabilised windslab development on steep E to SE aspects. Avalanches are likely where new slab build up is greatest in these locations. Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Heavy drifting down to 750m on Tuesday. Deep snow on floors of many N-facing corries. ICING: Slow development continues. `Mirror Direct' in Coire an t- Sneachda climbed on Monday, though looks narrow. Ice pitches of gully routes still poor and buried! COMMENT: Very poor mountain conditions. Many gullies in N.Corries full of new snow and avalanche debris on Tuesday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 10/3/98 Snowfall with moderate S winds is leaving new accumulations above 800m. Elsewhere the snowpack is soft and moist. Deposits are most unstable on steeper slopes of W to E aspects where the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 11/3/98 Redistributed snow by strong winds from the NW and some new snow will leave deposits S to E aspects. On E aspects where there are already existing unstable areas steeper slopes in gullies and sheltered areas above 800m will be moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels moist and soft under 800m. ICING: Remains lean. COMMENT: Snow at lower levels will become very hard during the day. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------