NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 15/1/99 Snow turning to rain triggered numerous avalanches in Coire an t-Sneachda today. Stability remains marginal in these and similar locations from most recent snow showers on SW winds. The period of highest instability is now over but the avalanche hazard remains Considerable (Category 3) in these places. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 16/1/99 Strong SW winds and heavy snow showers throughout the period will bring about new, deep and poorly stabilised windslab development on N to NE aspects. Avalanches will occur in all these locations, thus the avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet, sodden snow at all levels on Friday. Improvement expected on Saturday. ICING: Friday's melt/freeze cycle should see general improvement in ice and snow/ice quality. COMMENT: Not nice weather in prospect - heavy snow and strong winds. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 15/1/99 A thaw at all levels overnight has moistened the existing snowpack. After a period of high instability and avalanche activity overnight and this morning, the snowpack has now stabilised with a return to cold conditions this afternoon. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Avalanche debris observed at the bases of most major gullies on Ben Nevis. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 16/1/99 A thaw freeze cycle starting on Friday afternoon and continuing through Saturday is expected to stabilise the existing snowpack. Strong to gale force SW winds and heavy snow showers overnight and on Saturday will deposit fresh accumulations of windslab on steep slopes and gullies. Greatest accumulations on N, NE, and E aspects above 800m. Where this windslab exists in sufficient quantities the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will be re- frozen and generally stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Current snow level 800m. ICING: Freezing level falling to 150m overnight. Rising to 300m on Saturday. COMMENT: Ice axe and crampons essential for anyone venturing on to the hills. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 15/1/99 The rapid rise in temperature accompanied by rain and strong SW winds have produced unstable wet surface layers of snow. Weakly bonded accumulations of windslab still exists within the snowpack on slopes with a N, E and SE aspect and in sheltered gullies above 850m. Where these deposits lie on steeper slopes the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Avalanche debris noted in several areas. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 16/1/99 A return to colder conditions will begin to stablibise the snowpack. Further new snow and strong SW winds during Saturday will form unstable layers of windslab on slopes with a N to NE aspect. Where deep accumulations of windslab exist above 800m in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a N to NE aspect the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely. . CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 300m. ICING: Thawing ice above 400m. COMMENT: Becoming colder, strong South-Westerly winds and fresh unstable windslab will require caution. Ridges and buttresses are still the safest option. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 15/1/99 Mild temperatures and heavy rain has left the snowpack thawing at most levels. A period of greatest instability occurred this morning, with avalanche debris noted in N to E facing corries. Later in the period some stabilisation was occurring as freezing level dropped. Remaining cornices are still unstable. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 16/1/99 A return to wintry conditions will stabilise recent snow deposits before further snow showers and storm force SW winds occur. New windslab build up mainly on N to E facing slopes and sheltered gully areas will result. These deposits will be weakly bonded especially on steeper slopes where they overlie the icy crust. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. Newly formed cornices will be unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The thawing snow will become crusty with fresh snow at all levels on Saturday. ICING: Lean, but should improve in thaw freeze cycle COMMENT: Blizzard conditions expected during Saturday with many paths and open hillsides icy. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 15/1/99 Heavy snow overnight followed by rain as the freezing level briefly rose above the summits has helped to consolidate the snowpack at lower levels. However where deep, wet slab lies on steep slopes and in the tops of gullies, particularly on NW to S aspects above 800m, the hazard of avalanche is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 16/1/99 A return to colder conditions will help to consolidate the existing snowpack. However heavy snow on storm force SW winds will deposit fresh unstable windslab on N through to SE aspects above 750m. Steep slopes, sheltered gullies and hollows will be particularly affected. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep cover above 600m. ICING: Should be helped by the thaw and refreeze tomorrow. COMMENT: Large, unstable cornices are present above many steep slopes in the Creag Meagaidh area. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------