LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 6/2/99 Snow showers and W-NW winds have formed soft fresh snow accumulations, mainly on N and E aspects. Amounts are generally less than 10cm in depth. In some localised areas, more significant accumulations have formed as unstable soft slab. These deposits are generally at the tops of NE, E and SE facing slopes and gullies. In these locations, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). On snow slopes exposed to the wind, a stable and frozen snow surface is present. Natural cornices collapses observed above routes in Coire an Lochain, Aonach Mor. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 7/2/99 A cold showery NW airflow is expected overnight and during Sunday. Further development of unconsolidated soft windslab is expected. Significant accumulations of this soft windslab will generally be restricted to the tops of NE, E and SE facing slopes and gullies. In these locations, the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). On snow slopes exposed to the wind, a stable and frozen snow surface will be present. Soft unstable cornices will continue to form above lee slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover of fresh snow above 600m. Main accumulations of old snow remain above 700m. ICING: Remaining cold at all levels overnight and during Sunday. COMMENT: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 6/2/99 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 750m contain patches of windslab. Soft windslab containing layers of hail is very weakly bonded. Where localised patches 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 SUN 7/2/99 Colder conditions with light snow showers and fresh NW/N winds. No significant change is expect to the snowpack. However areas of windslab will continue to accumulate in sheltered hollows and gullies and on Easterly and Southerly slopes. These areas of windslab will be layered and weakly bonded on steeper slopes and in gullies the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) where pockets of deeper soft slab exist. Elsewhere the snow will remain frozen firm and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 650m. ICING: Ice forming on rocks above 300m. COMMENT: Crampons and axe essential; snowpack generally "bone" hard especially on N slopes, steep descents into corries require caution. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 6/2/99 Moderate amounts of snow on a strong NNW wind have accumulated significant amounts of fresh unstable windslab on N through E to S aspects above 800m. These accumulations are greatest in sheltered gullies and hollows. Where this slab exists the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). In other areas the snowpack remains hard, wind scoured and stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 7/2/99 Although light snowfall is forecast for tomorrow, existing snow will drift in severe gale force Northerly winds and continue to load lee slopes. Unstable windslab will build on SE through to SW aspects above 750m, with N to NE aspects also affected due to the variable nature of the winds in the corries, and greatest accumulations forming in sheltered gullies and hollows. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still patchy above 750m, although improving. ICING: Improving in colder temperatures. COMMENT: Cornices reforming on many lee slopes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 6/2/99 Very strong NW winds and persistent snow showers have led to further windslab build up mainly on E to S slopes. Some localised deposits are also forming in sheltered areas of N facing corries. All these deposits are only moderately to weakly bonded especially on steep slopes above 900m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere open slopes are scoured and icy. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 7/2/99. With cold conditions continuing no stabilisation of existing windslab will take place. Further unstable deposits will develop mainly on E to S facing slopes as strong N winds and heavy snow showers persist. Due to swirling winds in N facing corries more deposits in sheltered areas can be expected. The avalanche hazard for the above areas will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow on a patchy base with largest amounts on N to SE slopes and plateaux areas. More snow at all levels. Oooh powder skiing?! ICING: Some good ice about with most gullies complete, although some still banked out & holding deep soft snow. Many buttresses holding snow with good neve in places. COMMENT: Blizzard conditions at times tomorrow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 6/2/99 New, deep windslab lies on many steep E to S aspects. Stability at the tops of these locations was poor and a ski cut test released several layers. New, soft cornices continue to build here. High (Category 4) localised hazard of avalanche in these places. Deep, suspect slab is present at lower elevations of the same aspect where stability is marginal to poor (and declining). Some thin fresh snow lies on a few W to N aspects which are otherwise hard and icy. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 7/2/99 Cold, wintry conditions with more snow showers will persist right through the forecast period. Strengthening N winds will continue to load unstable windslab on to steep SE to SW aspects where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) in these locations. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying at all levels Saturday pm. Heavy drifting above 1000m. ICING: Cold temps. preserving remnants of ice that remain from last thaw. Buttresses white with fresh snow. Stonking snow/ice in all N-facing gullies. COMMENT: V.cold and snowy again on Sunday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------