NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 19/1/99 Collapsing cornices triggered several avalanches in Coire an t- Sneachda at and before dawn today. Several large, unstable- looking cornices remain over some steep N to E aspects and new, marginally-stabilised slab development was noted below these after noon. High (Category 4) localised hazard of avalanche on these scarp slopes above 1100m. Stability was considered good in many locations below 1000m not exposed to cornice-triggered avalanches from above. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 20/1/99 Light snow throughout the period and fresh SW to WSW winds will continue to load marginally-stabilised windslab on to steep N to E aspects above 1000m. There will be a Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche where new slab deposits are greatest and/or lie beneath fragile cornices. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Slow thaw of existing snow below 850m on Tuesday. Overall cover remains good. ICING: Hard to say as many crags still plastered with recent snow. Most crags in N.Corries quiet. Snow/ice in many gullies buried by new snow or avalanche debris, or both. Very large and `ugly' cornice over Jacob's Ladder. COMMENT: Colder and more wintry on Weds. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 19/1/99 A thaw-freeze cycle overnight has started to consolidate the existing snowpack. Between 900m and 1250m, a refrozen crust has stabilised much of the snowpack in these locations. Elsewhere, the snowpack is moderately well bonded and the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 20/1/99 SW winds and moderate snowfall is expected overnight and during Wednesday. Fresh areas of windslab will form on slopes sheltered from the SW winds. Greatest accumulations of unstable snow will be on steep N, NE and E aspects above 1000m. Where this fresh snow exists, the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will be moderately to well bonded. Below 800m, the snowpack will remain moist. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover remaining above 700m. ICING: Freezing level lowering to around 800m on Wednesday. COMMENT: Winds moderating slightly on Wednesday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 19/1/99 Above 800m a melt/freeze cycle during the early hours of Tuesday has started to consolidate the snowpack leaving the surface layer with a soft icy crust. Below 800m the snowpack is wet and only moderately bonded especially on the steeper slopes. Where deep wet snow exists on steep ground and in gullies the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 20/1/99 Further consolidation of the snowpack will continue above 750m. However SW winds and snow showers will see new development of windslab into sheltered gullies and on to slopes with a N to E aspect. New deposits will be moderately bonded on steep slopes above 750m. Where these new accumulations of windslab are greatest the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 450m. ICING: Ice forming above 800m. COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses still remain the safer option although conditions are generally improving. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 19/1/99 Mild temperatures with a little rain have led to the snowpack thawing at most levels. After an unstable period surface layers were bonding although easy shears were noted deeper in the snowpack. Weakly bonded areas of snow still exist on steep slopes of NW through to E aspects where the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Cornices are unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 20/1/99 The freezing level will remain high overnight gradually dropping to 800m during Wednesday. Some light amounts of snow on SW winds will leave fresh deposits on a hardened base on N to E aspects. New accumulations will be unstable and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good above 900m. ICING: Thawing but exposed slopes above 800m remain icy. COMMENT: Freezing level will drop to around 800m on Wednesday. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 19/1/99 A thaw at all levels has generally stabilised the surface layers of the snowpack, with a return to slightly colder temperatures this afternoon helping to consolidate them further. However deep instabilities remain within the snowpack, especially on steep N to SE slopes and in sheltered gullies of any aspect above 750m. In these areas the hazard of avalanche is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 20/1/99 Overnight moderate amounts of snow on a gale force SW wind will deposit windslab on N through to SE aspects above 800m. During the day light amounts of snow on the same SW airstream will continue to load these aspects. In these areas the hazard of avalanche will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Significant accumulations above 600m, thawing and heavy below. ICING: Still building but generally buried. COMMENT: Large, unstable cornices are present above many steep slopes, especially N to SE aspects. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------