CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 2/1/99 Recent milder temperatures have left the snowpack reasonably well bonded. However moderate snowfall on a strong SSW wind is causing fresh slab to form at the tops of sheltered slopes and gullies of a N through to SE aspect above 850m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Fresh debris from a cornice collapse noted in Coire nan Gall. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 3/1/99 Although colder temperatures will freeze the underlying snowpack, moderate snowfall on a strong SW becoming W wind will continue the build up of fresh windslab deposits at the top of sheltered slopes and gullies of a N through to SE aspect above 750m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow falling down to 600m. Main cover above 700m. ICING: Still hanging on but its pretty wet. COMMENT: Extremely large cornices are present above the Inner Coire (particularly above Cinderella). Be aware of collapse during these milder conditions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 2/1/99 Strong SSW winds and snow showers have formed fresh areas of windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations exist on sheltered N and NE aspects above 900m. In these locations, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Fresh cornices are also building above these aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 3/1/99 Fresh snow and strong W-SW winds are expected overnight and during Sunday. Areas of unstable windslab will continue to form, greatest accumulations being on N, NE and E facing slopes and gullies above 900m. Avalanches are likely in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices will also be present above these aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 850m. ICING: Freezing level staying at around 700m overnight and rising to 1200m on Sunday evening. COMMENT: Winds expected to moderate during Sunday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 2/1/99 Very strong S winds and snow showers above 900m has led to new areas of poorly bonded snow at the very tops of NW through to E facing slopes and gullies. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) on theses steep slopes where deposits are greatest. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 3/1/99 Further snow showers and strong SW to W winds will lead to continued windslab build up on N to E facing slopes and gullies above 600m. These deposits will be moderately to weakly bonded especially high up on steeper slopes where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover with fresh deposits above 900m. ICING: Lean ice conditions remain. COMMENT: Temperatures due to rise during Sunday evening. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 2/1/99 Moderate to heavy snow showers on strong SE winds have loaded unstable windslab onto many NW to N aspects above 1100m. Deep, fresh-looking avalanche debris was noted at the base of many N-facing gullies in Coire an t-Sneachda at 1230hrs today. High (Category 4) hazard of avalanche in these and similar locations. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 3/1/99 Snow showers and SW to W winds will continue until the early hours of Sunday and commence again later in the day. Additional deposits of unstable windslab will again form on steep N to E aspects and collapse-prone cornices may threaten many gullies in these places. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) with avalanches likely by the end of the period. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Heavy, wet snow at most levels on Saturday with heavy drifting in places. ICING: Is currently disguised by new snow but it's been cold enough to preserve the recent build up. COMMENT: Better weather likely during daylight hours on Sunday but don't be caught out a rapid decline near dusk. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 2/1/99 Strong Southerly winds and new snow above 850m have formed deposits of soft wet slab in sheltered locations. Deepest deposits are on NW-NE slopes and in sheltered summit gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) where deeper accumulations have formed on old snow, elsewhere the snowpack is moist and is generally stable AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 3/1/99 Colder conditions will start to consolidate the existing snowpack, new snow and strong Westerly winds will form areas of weakly bonded windslab on slopes with a N-SE aspect and in sheltered gullies mainly above 800m. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3) where deeper accumulations form on steeper slopes CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 800m ICING: Thawing ice above 700m COMMENT: Higher ridges and buttresses may give some reasonable conditions tomorrow, Windy! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------