LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/12/98 Strong winds overnight have formed localised areas of fresh windslab on various slope aspects. Accumulations are present in locations sheltered from the prevailing W-NW winds. Greatest deposits were found to be on E facing scarp slopes above 900m. Where this fresh windslab exists in significant quantity, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack is generally well bonded and stable. Where the snowpack is wind scoured, a frozen surface crust is present. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/12/98 Cold temperatures and light snow showers are expected over the next 24 hours. Localised deposits of fresh windslab will be present in various sheltered locations. Main accumulations will generally be on E facing scarp slopes and gullies above 900m. Where this windslab exists in significant quantity, the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will be generally well bonded and stable. Where the snowpack is wind scoured, a frozen surface crust will be present. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at sea level. Main accumulations are above 700m. ICING: Freezing at all levels overnight and during Monday. COMMENT: Frozen snow and ice on many slopes and paths. Ice axe and crampons essential for anyone venturing onto the hills. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/12/98 An overnight thaw and colder conditions today have stabilised much of the existing snowpack. A cover of new snow exists above 300m. Strong Westerly winds are forming areas of windslab above 800m mainly on slopes with a NE-SE aspect and in all sheltered gullies. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) where deeper windslab has formed AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/12/98 Cold conditions with light snow and SW winds will not significantly alter the condition of the snowpack. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3) where deeper windslab exists on steep NE-SE slopes and in sheltered gullies. Avalanches are likely in these areas CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 300m ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 800m COMMENT: Conditions improving with colder weather ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/12/98 An overnight thaw and colder conditions today have stabilised much of the existing snowpack. A cover of new snow exists above 300m. Strong Westerly winds are forming areas of windslab above 800m mainly on slopes with a NE-SE aspect and in all sheltered gullies. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) where deeper windslab has formed AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/12/98 Cold conditions with light snow and SW winds will not significantly alter the condition of the snowpack. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3) where deeper windslab exists on steep NE-SE slopes and in sheltered gullies. Avalanches are likely in these areas CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 300m ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 800m COMMENT: Conditions improving with colder weather ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/12/98 A thaw/freeze cycle last night has consolidated the recent heavy snowfalls somewhat. However new snow falling today on a WSW wind has caused further unstable windslab to form on N through to SE aspects above 750m. The avalanche hazard is still Considerable (Category 3). Recent debris noted under various gullies in Coire Ardair. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/12/98 Continuing cold temperatures and further light snow on a S becoming SW wind, will build and maintain the unstable windslab deposits found on N through to SE aspects above 750m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) with avalanches likely in the above mentioned areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels. Horrible breakable crust on Coire Ardair path. ICING: Improving all the time. Still thin on the harder climbs but deeper chimneys etc. are not bad. COMMENT: Large cornices are present above the Inner Coire. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/12/98 A slight thaw overnight followed by freezing temperatures has left a thin crust in most places, stabilising the recent deposits. However, in sheltered areas above 1000m some moderately to weakly bonded snow remains, mainly on N through to East facing slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Any cornices remain suspect. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/12/98 Continuing cold with light snowfall and strong S to SW winds during Monday. This will result in little change to the moderately to weakly bonded snow on N through to E facing slopes and gully areas. Further deposits will form during Monday, maintaining the Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche in theses areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin crusty snow cover, with larger accumulations in sheltered areas above 850m. ICING: Thin ice buried under crusty snow. Buttresses holding snow albeit unconsolidated. COMMENT: Remaining cold. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/12/98 Overnight storm conditions have deposited significant quantities of hard windslab on steep, sheltered N to E facing aspects above 1000m. Large unstable cornices overhang some of these locations and are prone to collapse with only light loading. Cornice-collapse triggered event initiated at 1100m in Ciste Mhearad. Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche in similar locations. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/12/98 The onset of snow showers during the day will lead to additional new slab build up on steep N to NE aspects above 950m. Avalanches are likely in these places by the end of the period giving rise to a Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche, especially where new windslab is deepest. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Large drifts in places with hollows beginning to fill in. Breakable crust and/or ice in places. ICING: Cold enough to maintain current build up and staying wintry. COMMENT: Some potential noted for a variety of winter mountain sports. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------