NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 3/1/99 Moderate to strong SW winds fed in early snow showers and led to the development of new, poorly stabilised windslab on NE to E- facing aspects. The largest accumulations lie on E aspects above 1050m where near-surface instabilities were noted on slopes below 45 degrees inclination. Heavy sluffing of new snow was evident on steeper slopes of the same aspect. Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche in these places. Local winds have scoured the tops of some gullies in the N.Corries. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 4/1/99 Very poor stability on N to E-facing slopes and gullies will characterise the early part of the forecast period. Heavy snow on SW to S winds followed by rising temperatures and sleet will bring about a High (Category 4) hazard of avalanche in the specified locations, where avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Is somewhat improved but plateau cover far from complete. Effective snow line 900m. ICING: Slowly but steadily improving. Ice pitches of popular mixed routes still thin or incomplete. COMMENT: Blizzard-like hill conditions expected on Sunday night. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 3/1/99 Snow showers overnight and strong SW winds have loaded sheltered slopes with unstable windslab. Greatest accumulations exist on N, NE and E facing slopes and gullies above 800m. In these locations, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices are also forming above these aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 4/1/99 A brief thaw to above the summits is expected overnight with a return to slightly cooler conditions again during Monday. By Monday morning, the thaw-freeze cycle will have stabilised most of the existing windslab below 1200m. During Monday fresh windslab development is expected, greatest accumulations being at the tops of N, NE and E aspects above 950m. Unstable snow will be present in greater quantities above 1200m. Where this windslab exists, the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good general cover above 700m. ICING: Freezing level rising to 1350m overnight and falling to 900m by Monday evening. COMMENT: High winds expected on Monday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 3/1/99 Strong Westerly winds and new snow above 700m have formed unstable deposits of windslab in sheltered locations. Deepest deposits are on N to E slopes and in sheltered gullies above 800m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) where deeper accumulations have formed on steeper slopes, elsewhere the snowpack is generally stable with an icy crust forming in exposed locations AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 4/1/99 Strengthening SW winds with heavy snow and sleet will continue to form unstable deposits of windslab initially turning to wet slab later as temperatures rise. Greatest accumulations of windslab will be on slopes with a N to E aspect and in sheltered gullies mainly above 850m. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3) where deeper accumulations form on steeper slopes. Avalanches are likely in these areas CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700m ICING: Ice above 700m COMMENT: New snow cover on ridges and buttresses SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 3/1/99 Strong SW winds and snow showers are leading to deposits of moderately to weakly bonded windslab on N to E slopes and gullies. These deposits are showing poorest stability high up, on steeper slopes and scarps. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere, slopes are wind scoured, and generally icy. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 4/1/99 Continued windslab build-up on N to E slopes and sheltered gullies overnight will remain moderately to weakly bonded. Rising freezing levels early in the morning will lead to a period of greatest instability before cold conditions return, with further windslab build-up on above aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) with avalanches likely in these areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover above 700m with greatest amounts on sheltered slopes and gullies. ICING: Lean ice, with some neve in exposed areas. COMMENT: Unsettled weather with fluctuating freezing levels, snow, sleet and strong winds over next 24hrs. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 3/1/99 Snow on very strong Westerly winds has deposited deep accumulations of fresh windslab on N through to SE aspects above 850m. Areas most affected by the heavy drifting are steep scarp slopes below cornices, where the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). On wind-scoured slopes the snowpack is well bonded and stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 4/1/99 Heavy snowfall on very strong SW winds will continue to load NW through to SE aspects above 750m with fresh unstable windslab. The tops of steep sheltered slopes and gullies will be most affected. In these localised areas the avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow cover above 700m. ICING: Wet and hidden behind clouds of spindrift. COMMENT: Further build up today of already very large cornices above many steep N through to SE aspects. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------