NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/1/99 Snow showers over the period have continued to develop areas of fresh windslab primarily on E to SE aspects. In these steepest locations, mostly above 1000m the avalanche hazard remains Considerable (Category 3) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 29/1/99 Further snow showers and fresh NW through to WSW winds accompanied by a rising temperature and rain at all levels will result in a period of high instability. During this time cornices particularly above E to SE aspects will be prone to collapse and some wet transitional avalanches will occur. Thereafter a degree of stability will return to the snowpack. During this transitional period the avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 700m. Hard/icy on high wind scoured slopes ICING: Some improvement expected, provided forecasted thaw is followed by a re-freeze. COMMENT: Milder conditions, "damp" at all levels for Friday. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/1/99 A Westerly airflow overnight has produced large areas of poorly bonded windslab. Greatest accumulations are on N, NE and E aspects above 800m, especially scarp slopes and steep gullies. Where this windslab is present in sufficient amounts the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche debris observed above 800m on N and NE aspects on Aonach Mor AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 29/1/99 A mild SW airflow with snow turning to rain overnight and through Friday is expected to produce a moist snowpack at all levels. A period of high instability will occur overnight and into Friday. Wet snow avalanches will occur on many aspects, particularly steep slopes and gullies with N, E and SE aspects. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Cornices becoming prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 650m. ICING: Freezing level rising to above the summits on Friday. COMMENT: Milder conditions returning for a while. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/1/99 New snow has formed areas of shallow windslab on leeward slopes facing NE to S above 900m. On steep N to E corrie headwalls and in sheltered gullies deep soft slab is moderately bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Many corrie headwalls and gullies are topped by unstable cornices. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 29/1/99 New snow overnight and WSW winds will initially form fresh windslab in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a N to E aspect mainly above 800m. Rain at all levels later with very mild conditions will saturate the snowpack bringing a period of high instability on steep slopes with a N to E aspect and in all sheltered gullies above 700m. Avalanches will occur in these areas. The avalanche hazard will initially be High (Category 4) decreasing later CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 400m. ICING: Ice above 600m. COMMENT: Milder conditions will affect the area SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/1/99 Strong NW winds have led to further accumulations of snow in sheltered locations on N to SE aspects above 900m. New deposits are unstable particularly on steeper slopes and where they overlie older snow ice. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Other aspects are scoured and icy with snow under 800m subject to a thaw. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 29/1/99 Thaw conditions will set in with some light rain at all altitudes. On N to SE aspects where recent deposits are greatest avalanches will occur and cornices will be prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A mix of ice and wind blown snow above 900m with softer snow under 800m. ICING: Subject to thaw. COMMENT: Freezing level will be around 1220m during the day. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/1/99 Slightly milder conditions have helped to stabilise the snowpack at lower levels (below 850m). However unstable hard slab remains on N through to S aspects above 850m. Additionally, soft snow is drifting at higher altitudes causing accumulations of fresh windslab to form at the tops of sheltered gullies and hollows of the above mentioned aspects (mainly above 900m). The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 29/1/99 Moderate snowfalls on a WNW wind will turn to rain overnight. Windslab will continue to form for a time at the tops of sheltered gullies of a N through to S aspect above 900m. As temperatures rise through the day, the snowpack will dampen down, aiding consolidation. However the risk of cornice collapse will increase as the temperature rises. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep cover above 600m. ICING: Loads of ice and unfortunately loads of snow on top. COMMENT: It may thaw tomorrow (29/1/99) but it's needed to improve the climbing conditions. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------