NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 5/2/99 Deep, layered windslab lies on many steep, sheltered ESE to S- facing slopes and gullies. Multiple easy shears showed up during stability tests and the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) in these and similar places. Many W to N aspects have been scoured clear of new snow, have a hard, icy surface and demonstrate excellent stability. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 6/2/99 Very wintry weather is forecast with NW to N winds and heavy snow showers throughout the period. Additional deep, unstable windslab will continue to form on steep ESE to S aspects where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) in these locations. Stability on all W to N aspects is expected to be good on Saturday. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep drifts in steep, sheltered places but very hard and icy elsewhere. ICING: Cold temperatures are preserving the ice that remains from the last thaw. Snow/ice in all gullies in N.Corries. COMMENT: Full-on winter conditions this weekend. Blizzards and low temperatures. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 5/2/99 Cold temperatures and light snow showers have had little effect on the existing snowpack. The old snow is refrozen at all levels. Fresh snow deposits are not of significant quantity to affect the overall snow stability. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 6/2/99 Snow showers and strong Northerly winds are expected to continue overnight and during Saturday. Fresh windslab deposits will form at the tops of slopes with a SE through to SW aspect. Where this fresh snow exists in significant quantities, the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will remain frozen and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very light dusting of snow above 650m. Main accumulations of old snow remain on N and E aspects above 700m. ICING: Remaining cold at all levels overnight and during Saturday. COMMENT: Old snow remains hard frozen. Ice-axe and crampons essential for all hill users. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 5/2/99 The strong NW airstream has made the snowpack generally firm and stable. Exposed N facing slopes are wind scoured and are very icy. Sheltered NE to SE slopes above 650m contain pockets of windslab. Soft slab containing layers of hail is very weakly bonded. Where localised pockets of soft slab overlie snow-ice on E facing corrie headwalls and sheltered summit gullies the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 6/2/99 Strong NW winds will bring snow to all levels. Pockets of hail and soft slab will accumulate in hollows and gullies on NE through to SE slopes. Windslab in sheltered summit gullies will be weakly bonded to the underlying snow-ice. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) where pockets of deeper soft slab lie in steep summit gullies. Elsewhere the snow will remain firm and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 650m. ICING: Ice forming on rocks above 400m. COMMENT: Crampons and axe essential; snowpack generally "bone" hard especially on N facing slopes. Steep descents into corries require caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 5/2/99 Very strong NW winds and snow showers, have led to new localised deposits of windslab mainly on sheltered E to S facing slopes and gully areas above 800m. These deposits are moderately to weakly bonded, especially on steep slopes where they over-lie old snow. In these areas where deposits are greatest, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere, open slopes are scoured and icy. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 6/2/99 Continuing NW to N winds will lead to further windslab build up on E to S facing slopes and sheltered gully areas. These deposits will remain only moderately to weakly bonded especially on steep slopes where avalanches are likely. Some localised deposits may also occur in sheltered N gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Other open slopes will be scoured and icy. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover with largest amounts on N to SE slopes and plateau areas. New snow at all levels overnight. ICING: Generally lean although continuing to improve with colder conditions. Some reasonable snow-ice about. COMMENT: Winds easing somewhat and remaining cold. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 5/2/99 Light snowfall on a strong WNW wind has formed localised accumulations of deep unstable windslab. These areas are found at the tops of steep N through E to S facing slopes above 800m and in sheltered gullies and hollows of the same aspects. Where this isolated soft slab exists the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack generally consists of hard wind scoured snow-ice. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 6/2/99 A cold Northerly airstream with heavy snowfall and gale force winds will continue to build deposits of very unstable soft windslab. Slab will form on N through to SW facing slopes above 750m with sheltered gullies and hollows being particularly affected. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur in these areas. Fresh unstable cornices will form on lee slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations in the gullies above 750m, hard snow-ice on most slopes. ICING: Improving in colder temperatures. COMMENT: Nice to have snow and colder temperatures - pity about the wind! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------