GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 4/2/99 Colder storm force winds over the summits have created a firm crust and begun stabilising the snowpack. Showers have deposited shallow pockets of hail in summit gullies and sheltered hollows above 600m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Cornices are stabilising in the colder conditions. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 5/2/99 Colder conditions will bring snow showers to all levels. Shallow pockets of hail and soft slab will accumulate in hollows and gullies on N through to SE slopes. Sheltered summit gullies will contain more significant deposits of windslab weakly bonded to the underlying snow ice. In these areas the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 600m. ICING: Ice reforming above 700m. COMMENT: Colder temps.improving snow conditions, verglas on rocks above 800m. Exposed turf firming up. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 4/2/99 Today's increasingly cold temperatures have significantly consolidated the remaining snowpack leaving it hard and firm in most places. However increasing amounts of snowfall on a storm force WNW wind has deposited fresh windslab on N through to SE aspects above 850m. Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 5/2/99 Heavy snowfall tonight and tomorrow on a severe gale force NW wind will quickly form significant amounts of fresh windslab on N through E to S aspects above 800m. Cornices will also begin to reform on lee slopes. Due to the new windslab forming on top of hard neve the avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) with avalanches occurring on the above mentioned aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy above 750m. Plenty in the gullies. ICING: Some routes are still complete but we're not telling you which ones!! COMMENT: Blizzard conditions expected over the next few days. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 4/2/99 Colder temperatures overnight and into Thursday have helped to further consolidate the snowpack. Areas of moderately bonded wet snow are still present on some steep slopes. In these locations the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack is generally stable. Large cornices still present , mainly above N, NE and E aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 5/2/99 A cold NW airflow with accompanying snow is expected overnight and through Friday. Fresh deposits of windslab will form during this period. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered steep slopes and gullies with NE, E and SE aspects above 750m. Where these fresh deposits exist in sufficient quantities the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will remain generally stable. Cornices starting to reform. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General snow cover above 750m. ICING: Freezing at all levels overnight and through Friday COMMENT: Winds decreasing slightly into Friday. Windblown slopes becoming icy. Ice axe and crampons essential for anyone venturing into the hills. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 4/2/99 Colder temperatures overnight and into Thursday have helped to further consolidate the snowpack. Areas of moderately bonded wet snow are still present on some steep slopes. In these locations the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack is generally stable. Large cornices still present , mainly above N, NE and E aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 5/2/99 A cold NW airflow with accompanying snow is expected overnight and through Friday. Fresh deposits of windslab will form during this period. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered steep slopes and gullies with NE, E and SE aspects above 750m. Where these fresh deposits exist in sufficient quantities the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will remain generally stable. Cornices starting to reform. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General snow cover above 750m. ICING: Freezing at all levels overnight and through Friday COMMENT: Winds decreasing slightly into Friday. Windblown slopes becoming icy. Ice axe and crampons essential for anyone venturing into the hills. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 4/2/99 Much colder temperatures, snow showers and hurricane force WNW winds have combined to create new windslab on E to SE aspects. Local winds have scoured the very tops of these locations but new, weakly bonded slab was noted in lower, very sheltered areas. Stability was declining in these places right up to the end of the period. Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche. Many N-facing slopes and gullies have been scoured down to hard or crusty snow ice. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 5/2/99 More frequent snow showers are possible, particularly during the day, together with strong WNW to NW winds. Deeper, poorly stabilised windslab will develop on E to S facing slopes and gullies as winds ease to gale force(!). Avalanches are likely in these places where there will be a Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche. Stability will be good in all wind-exposed locations. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy below 900m. Plateaux cover intact but hard or crusty everywhere. ICING: Recent meltdown has stripped many routes but vestigial stuff now re-frozen. Popular gullies in N.Corries all complete with much improved snow/ice. COMMENT: Very stormy in N.Cairngorms with 140mph gusts over summits on Thursday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 4/2/99 Strong winds and a drop in freezing levels left existing snow hard and crusty. Some light snow showers led to light accumulations on a hardened base in sheltered locations on N to SE aspects where they were unstable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere snow was icy and scoured. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 5/2/99 Staying wintry with some light snow, falling at all levels, on a strong NW wind. New accumulations will continue to build in sheltered locations and gullies on NE to SE aspects where they will form on existing snow ice and be unstable. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Other aspects will remain scoured. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The thaw has left mainly large patches with greatest amounts on N to SE aspects. ICING: Some bits left which will hopefully start to rebuild in current colder conditions. COMMENT: Although winds will ease likely to be another difficult day on the hills. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------