CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 17/1/99 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 MON 18/1/99 Moderate snowfall on a SE becoming SW wind will further accumulate deep unstable windslab on NW through to SE aspects above 550m. There are also isolated pockets of slab on all other aspects in sheltered gullies and hollows. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4) with avalanches occurring in the above mentioned areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION:Very deep snow at all levels. ICING: Thin and hollow the last time we saw it. COMMENT: Hard work getting anywhere without skis! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 17/1/99 Strong SW winds and heavy snow showers above 550m have deposited further layers of windslab in sheltered areas. Deep soft slab with layers of hail lying on steep ground is very unstable. Where deep windslab lies on steep sheltered slopes and gullies the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Avalanche debris noted on Sgorr Dhearg of Beinn a Bheithir. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 18/1/99 Snow showers overnight and during Mon. will deposit further layers of windslab onto NW to NE slopes above 600m. The strong variable winds will deposit soft slab in any sheltered hollows and gullies. Deepest accumulations will exist in summit gullies and corrie headwalls where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 550m. ICING: Ice forming above 800m. COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses the safer option although conditions remain blustery. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 17/1/99 Strong SW winds overnight accompanied by snow has continued to form large deep deposits of unstable windslab on many aspects. Greatest accumulations are on sheltered steep slopes and gullies above 650m with a N, NE or E aspect. In these locations the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 18/1/99 The strong SW airflow will continue overnight and through Monday. It is not expected that the existing snowpack will stabilise significantly in this period. Areas of unstable windslab will continue to form. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered steep slopes and gullies with NW, N and E aspects above 750m. Avalanches will occur in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow currently lying at all levels. Main distribution above 500m. ICING: Freezing at all levels overnight, rising to 700m on Monday COMMENT: Strong winds continuing into Monday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 17/1/99 Relatively light snowfall and less cold temperatures brought some reasonable consolidation to the snowpack at elevations below 750m. Above this strong SW winds continue to re- deposit existing snow as poorly stabilised windslab on many N to E aspects. Large, gnarly cornices overhang many of these places. Very easy shears were again noted in new slab during stability tests at 800m. The avalanche hazard remains High (Category 4) in these locations. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 18/1/99 Some marginal consolidation is expected in most recent snow. The onset of snow showers on SE to SW winds late in the period will see new windslab development on steep NW to NE aspects above 900m. There will be a Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche where new slab build up is greatest in these places, with avalanches likely by the end of the period. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover remains good but is hard and icy in windswept locations. Deep drifts in many places above 700m. ICING: Some good snow/ice noted on wind-exposed NW aspects on Sunday. Ice still buried by deep snow on many routes. COMMENT: Cairngorm stormbound again on Sunday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 17/1/99 Snow showers and very strong SW winds this morning led to further windslab build up on N to E facing slopes and gullies. Recent snow continued to be re-deposited as windslab during the afternoon in the strong W winds. Although some consolidation has occurred at lower levels the windslab remains weakly bonded on steep slopes above 800m. The avalanche hazard is high (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 18/1/99 Overnight the very strong SW then S winds will continue the widespread drifting of recent snow at high levels, with new snowfall during Monday. Further windslab will develop onto existing weakly bonded snow on NW through to E facing slopes and gullies. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4) especially on steep slopes above 800m where avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Strong winds have scoured open hillsides with deep accumulations in sheltered areas. ICING: Ice continues to be best in watercourses. A thaw freeze cycle would improve conditions. COMMENT: Weather conditions expected to deteriorate during Monday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------