NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/2/99 Frequent heavy snow showers and strong NW winds throughout the period have created areas of unstable windslab, primarily on steep SE slopes. Some cross-loading of E aspects has also taken place. The highest, steepest slopes above 1000m are most affected, although very unstable deposits are reported from SE aspects even at lower elevations. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/2/99 Further heavy snow showers with drifting from strong N winds will affect the area overnight, before easing and becoming NW during Tuesday. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4) with unstable accumulations of new windblown snow expected on E to S facing slopes and gullies. Poor stability will exist on many descent routes off plateaux into Loch Avon basin. In many locations of the above aspects, where deepest accumulations exist, avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels. Deep drifting in higher sheltered locations. Rock-hard in wind scoured locations. ICING: Good where it exists. Still developing. Hard firm conditions in most N facing gullies. COMMENT: Remaining wintry. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/2/99 Large areas of both soft and hard windslab are present on many slope aspects. There are several instabilities within these areas of windslab. On steeper slopes and gullies, where new snow accumulations are greatest, the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/2/99 The showery, Northerly airflow is expected to continue overnight before becoming dry on Tuesday. Areas of unstable snow will continue to form, greatest accumulations being on E, SE and S facing slopes and gullies. Avalanches will occur in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels. Main cover above 700m. ICING: Remaining cold at all levels. COMMENT: Winds easing off during Tuesday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/2/99 Snowfall and NW gales have deposited windslab on slopes facing NE through to S. Above 600m significant quantities of weakly bonded hail and dense slab exist in sheltered gullies and corrie headwalls. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche debris noted on Bidean. Cornices are soft and unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/2/99 More settled conditions will prevail although fresh NW winds will deposit soft slab in sheltered areas facing NE through to S. Summit gullies and corrie headwalls will contain areas of deep unstable windslab. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches are likely where deep layered hail and windslab lie on steep sheltered slopes. Cornices will remain soft and unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 300m. ICING: Ice forming on rocks above 500m. COMMENT: Hard snow-ice remains on exposed NW slopes. Layered slab in sheltered locations. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/2/99 Heavy snow showers with widespread drifting in the gale force NW winds are resulting in further unstable deposits mainly on NE through to S slopes. Some localised deposits also exist in sheltered N corries. These deposits are weakly bonded even at lower altitudes giving a High (Category 4) hazard of avalanche in these areas. Elsewhere open areas are scoured and icy. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/2/99 There will be heavy snow overnight with widespread drifting continuing in the strong NW winds during Tuesday. This will result in little change to the current hazardous conditions. Most unstable deposits will be on NE through to S facing slopes, with sheltered areas of N facing corries also affected. The avalanche hazard for these areas will remain High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. Newly formed cornices will also be unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow drifting at all levels in strong NW winds. Open areas remain icy. ICING: Some good ice about albeit getting buried. COMMENT: Winds and snow showers easing on Tuesday, with drifting continuing at higher levels. Remaining cold. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/2/99 Heavy snowfall and drifting on a strong North Westerly wind has caused deep accumulations of highly unstable soft slab to form on N through S to W aspects above 600m. Due to variable wind strength these deposits contain many unstable layers and all slope gradients should be treated with caution. Other aspects are wind scoured and mostly stable, but shallow pockets of soft slab can also be encountered in sheltered areas. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/2/99 Moderate snow will continue overnight on a severe gale NW wind, accompanied with extensive drifting continuing throughout the day. This will further load existing accumulations of highly unstable windslab. N through S to W aspects above 550m will be most affected with shallower deposits being encountered on sheltered areas on other aspects. Fresh unstable cornices will continue to form during this period. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4) with avalanches occurring in the above mentioned areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep snow at all levels, skis recommended for travel. ICING: Most icing now covered with large deposits of soft snow. COMMENT: Most areas within Coire Ardair are now hazardous. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------