GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/4/98 Northerly winds and light snow showers are forming localised accumulations windslab at the tops of sheltered gullies and on slopes with a South to Southwest aspect above 900m. Where deeper accumulations have formed on steeper slopes the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/4/98 Light to moderate snow showers and a strong cold Northerly airflow will continue to redistribute new snow deposits into sheltered gullies and slopes with a Southerly aspect. Deposits of windslab will accumulate mainly at the tops of South facing slopes and sheltered summit gullies above 900m. Accumulations are not expected to be extensive or deep but where they form on steeper slopes the avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 400m. ICING: Ice is forming on rocks and paths above 350m. COMMENT: Buttresses and ridges offer favourable climbing for this time of year. Last report of season. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/4/98 Areas of unstable soft windslab exist on slopes sheltered from the NE winds. Greatest accumulations are at the tops of S, SW and W facing slopes and gullies above 900m. Localised accumulations are also present on other aspects. In these locations the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/4/98 A cold, showery, Northerly airflow is expected overnight and during Monday. Areas of unstable soft slab will remain, with the greatest accumulations at the tops of S, SW and W facing slopes and gullies above 900m. Localised accumulations will also present on other aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations of fresh snow exist above 700m. ICING: Freezing level remaining at around 400m. COMMENT: This is the last report of the season. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/4/98 Moderate snowfall, a strong Northerly airstream and variable winds in the corries have deposited pockets of very unstable windslab on steep slopes facing E through S to NW above 750m. Sheltered gullies and hollows are particularly affected. In these localised areas the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices are building above steep slopes with a Southerly aspect. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/4/98 A strong Northerly airflow and moderate snowfall will continue to load steep E through S to NW facing slopes with unstable slab above 750m. These deposits will be concentrated in sheltered gullies and hollows and in these areas the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). The snowpack on wind scoured slopes will remain very stable. Unstable cornices will continue to form above steep S to SE facing slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover above 500m. ICING: Thick ice but lots of unpleasant spindrift around. COMMENT: Thanks for not getting avalanched on Creag Meagaidh this winter (so far!). This is the last report of the winter so it's goodbye from Ewen, Ian and Kathy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/4/98 The N.Cairngorms have again experienced exceptionally wintry weather. Moderate N winds have fed in frequent heavy snow showers which in combination have created deep deposits of very weakly stabilised soft windslab on steep SE through to SW-facing slopes and gullies. Soft, unstable cornices overhang many of these places. Multiple very easy shears were revealed during Rutschblock stability tests. The avalanche hazard remains High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/4/98 The N.Cairngorms will again be subjected to severe winter weather over the forecast period. Further heavy snow showers on moderate N winds will continue to build poorly stabilised windslab on steep SW to SE aspects already loaded very weakly bonded soft slab where avalanches will occur. Cornices will continue to build over steeper slopes and gullies. High (Category 4) hazard of avalanche in these locations. Last report of this winter. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Extensive cover of snow down to 350m on Sunday. Very deep snow in places on the plateaux areas. ICING: Very little good quality climbing. Massive snow effort would be required to get near what modest ice development there is on popular routes in N.Corries. COMMENT: Very poor visibility during snow showers on Sunday. The Cairngorms are a very serious, near sub-Arctic winter environment at present. This is our last report of the winter - strange but true! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/04/98 Very strong Northerly winds and snow showers during the day are resulting in further unstable windslab build up and cornice development on SE through to W facing slopes and gullies. These deposits are moderately to weakly bonded especially at the tops of steeper slopes where the avalanche hazard is Considerable. (Category 3). Any Cornices remain soft and unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/04/98 More persistent snow showers and Northerly winds will lead to further unstable snow deposits on SE to SW facing slopes and sheltered gully areas. The cold conditions will maintain all instabilities within the snowpack giving a High (Category 4) hazard of avalanche in theses areas, where avalanches will occur. Southern Cairngorm mountains will have greatest accumulations. This is the last report for the season. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh soft snow at all levels with most on South and West aspects above 700m. ICING: A lot of soft snow buries what little ice exists. COMMENT: More snow on the way. Some relatively good skiing for the hardy. This is the last report for the winter. So long fans and be careful over the next few days. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/04/98 Very strong Northerly winds and snow showers during the day are resulting in further unstable windslab build up and cornice development on SE through to W facing slopes and gullies. These deposits are moderately to weakly bonded especially at the tops of steeper slopes where the avalanche hazard is Considerable. (Category 3). Any Cornices remain soft and unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/04/98 More persistent snow showers and Northerly winds will lead to further unstable snow deposits on SE to SW facing slopes and sheltered gully areas. The cold conditions will maintain all instabilities within the snowpack giving a High (Category 4) hazard of avalanche in theses areas, where avalanches will occur. Southern Cairngorm mountains will have greatest accumulations. This is the last report for the season. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh soft snow at all levels with most on South and West aspects above 700m. ICING: A lot of soft snow buries what little ice exists. COMMENT: More snow on the way. Some relatively good skiing for the hardy. This is the last report for the winter. So long fans and be careful over the next few days. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/04/98 REPORT FOR SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS. Very strong Northerly winds and snow showers during the day are resulting in further unstable windslab build up and cornice development on SE through to W facing slopes and gullies. These deposits are moderately to weakly bonded especially at the tops of steeper slopes where the avalanche hazard is Considerable. (Category 3). Any Cornices remain soft and unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/04/98 More persistent snow showers and Northerly winds will lead to further unstable snow deposits on SE to SW facing slopes and sheltered gully areas. The cold conditions will maintain all instabilities within the snowpack giving a High (Category 4) hazard of avalanche in theses areas, where avalanches will occur. Southern Cairngorm mountains will have greatest accumulations. This is the last report for the season. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh soft snow at all levels with most on South and West aspects above 700m. ICING: A lot of soft snow buries what little ice exists. COMMENT: More snow on the way. Some relatively good skiing for the hardy. This is the last report for the winter. So long fans and be careful over the next few days. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------