CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 16/1/99 Heavy snow on very strong SW winds has deposited deep accumulations of highly unstable windslab. Although lee slopes, N through to SE, are worst affected, pockets of slab are present in sheltered areas on any aspect above 550m. Large cornices continue to build above steep slopes in the region. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 17/1/99 Further heavy snow on strong SW winds, will continue to load existing unstable windslab accumulations. N through to SE aspects above 550m will continue to be worst affected. However sheltered gullies and hollows on any aspect will continue to hold pockets of unstable slab. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4) with avalanches occurring in the above mentioned areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep snow at all levels. Excellent ski-touring conditions if you pick your route safely. ICING: Quite thin and hollow, but now horribly buried. COMMENT: A blizzard nightmare, with masses of spindrift, shaken not stirred! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 16/1/99 Strong to gale force SW winds and heavy deposits of snow overnight has formed significant accumulations of poorly bonded windslab. Greatest accumulations are on sheltered steep slopes and gullies above 800m with a N, NE and E aspect. Where this slab exists the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Elsewhere the snow pack is scoured and generally well frozen. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 17/1/99 A strong SW airflow with heavy deposits of snow overnight and through Sunday will form significant accumulations of unstable windslab. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered steep slopes and gullies with N, NE and E aspects above 800m. In these locations avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Cornices becoming unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover from 700m, although snow currently lying at all levels. ICING: Freezing at all levels overnight, rising to 500m on Sunday. COMMENT: Paths and surface water frozen. Ice axe and crampons essential for all venturing into the hills. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 16/1/99 Overnight and during Saturday heavy snow has fallen at all levels. Above 550m areas of deep soft slab exist on sheltered N-NE slopes. Approaches into corries such as Coire nan Lochan contain very unstable snow. Avalanche debris noted in Boomerang Gully. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 17/1/99 Gales and continuing heavy snow will deposit further layers of windslab on sheltered N-E facing ground above 500m. Deep soft slab on steep slopes will be very unstable. Avalanches will occur on corrie headwalls and in summit gullies. Corrie paths will require caution. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep new snow above 500m. ICING: Ice forming above 500m. COMMENT: All corrie paths require caution, ridges and buttresses the safer option but beware of very blustery conditions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 16/1/99 Strong SW winds and sustained heavy snowfall have combined to create deep accumulations of very poorly stabilised windslab on all N to E aspects. Stability tests at 550m altitude showed up very easy shears in new snow and on buried weak layers. The avalanche hazard remains High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 17/1/99 Little change is expected in avalanche conditions right through the forecast period. Snowfall may be a little less intense and winds become W late on Sunday, but the avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4) on all N to E aspects where avalanches will occur on slopes as low as 600m altitude. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Complete cover of fresh snow at all levels. Heavy drifting in many places. ICING: Hard to say as many routes plastered with fresh snow. Recent melt/freeze cycle will have done some good. COMMENT: Cairngorm stormbound on Saturday with much the same likely on Sunday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 16/1/99 Heavy snow showers on W to SW winds have created unstable windslab on most N through to SE aspects. Recent avalanche debris noted on steep E facing slope at 900m near Glas Maol. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4) in these and similar places. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 17/1/99 Further heavy snow, moderating later, on strong SW then W winds will again load unstable windslab onto N to SE facing slopes and gullies. High (Category 4) hazard of avalanche in these locations where avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow at all levels. ICING: Ice buried under copious fresh snow. COMMENT: Tiresome walking in deep snow with very heavy drifting in places. Exposed slopes very icy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------