LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 13/2/99 Cooler conditions overnight has led to a stabilisation of the snowpack below 1150m. Above this altitude localised areas of unstable snow are still present, mainly on scarp slopes and the tops of steep gullies with E, SE and S aspects. In these locations the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/2/99 A rise in the freezing level to above the summits with rain, is expected overnight. A period of instability will exist overnight. By Sunday morning some wet snow instabilities will still be present on steep scarp slopes and the tops of gullies. In these locations the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). A return cooler conditions later on Sunday is expected to stabilise the snow pack as the day progresses. Cornices remaining unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations above 650m ICING: Freezing level above the summits overnight, lowering to 1200m during Sunday. COMMENT: Increasing winds and mild conditions overnight and on Sunday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 13/2/99 Cold settled conditions have made the snowpack generally firm and stable. Shallow soft slab with a thin melt freeze crust exists in sheltered locations facing NE to SE above 800m. Where soft slab and surface crust lie in summit gullies the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/2/99 Rain overnight and during Sun. will render the snowpack soft and moist at all levels. Shallow deposits of soft slab will become less stable. In summit gullies containing soft wet slab the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will consolidate and remain generally stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 650m. ICING: Ice above 400m. COMMENT: Beware falling rocks and ice during thaw period. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 13/2/99 Yesterday's milder conditions were followed by a hard freeze overnight which has helped consolidation of the snowpack. Most slopes are wind-scoured and consist of hard neve. However strong SW winds have caused drifting of existing snow and this has left isolated patches of partially bonded windslab in sheltered areas on N through to SE aspects above 900m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/2/99 Slightly milder conditions overnight with light rain will moisten and soften the snowpack, although it will have a negligible affect on the stability of the snow. Isolated areas of slab will remain on N through to SE aspects above 900m. The freezing level is forecast to fall through the day, aiding further consolidation and hardening of the snow. Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 700m. Good depth in the gullies. Some wind exposed ridges are bare. ICING: Lots of it, and mostly excellent quality. Not so good on the snowier routes due to insulation by the snow. COMMENT: Creag Meagaidh full today. Please don't block access to Aberarder Farm when parking. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 13/2/99 The snowpack is well bonded except on NE to SE slopes and gullies where recent deposits are only moderately well bonded. These deposits although deep are generally easily avoided. Some unstable cornices also remain. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/2/99 Mild conditions with light rain at all levels will leave the snowpack thawing before colder temperatures return later on Sunday. The deposits on NE to SE slopes will remain only moderately well bonded and may pose problems where unstable cornices above will be prone to collapse during thaw. Large cornices above some N slopes and gullies will also be suspect during thaw. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: More or less complete on plateaux areas patchy below 900m, thawing on Sunday. ICING: Most main gully lines have some ice, buttresses still holding some snow. Still generally lean however and subject to thaw on Sunday. COMMENT: Thawing at all levels overnight before returning colder later. Ice in Lochnagar corrie may not be affected that much. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 13/2/99 Strengthening SW winds have re-deposited existing snow as pockets of windslab on steep NE to E aspects above 1100m. This new slab showed up some easy shears but is not extensive and generally simple to avoid. Old, deep, harder slab characterises many places at lower altitudes on N to SE-facing slopes and gullies. Stability is reasonable in these locations, though some steep SE aspects are threatened by sizeable cornices. Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 14/2/99 Light overnight rain and much milder temperatures may convert the pockets of new slab on NE to E aspects into wet sluffs overnight or around dawn. Sluffing is likely during or immediately after rain and after this overall stability will again be generally good. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) localised for a time but improve steadily during the day. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Plateaux cover good but with P-tex- shredding rimed-up rocks. Breakable crust in places. ICING: Buttresses covered in rime. Ice in variable quantity and quality. Snow/ice in gullies remains good. COMMENT: N.Corries busy. Loch Avon basin quiet but with `The Cascade' and `The Chancer' just about in nick and do-able by bold(!) parties on Saturday. Thaw for Sun.! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------