NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 23/2/99 Overnight snow showers and NW winds combined to put down some windslab on steep E to SE aspects. The period of worst stability is receding in these areas but the steeper scarp slopes are still poorly stabilised. The avalanche hazard is localised in these places but Considerable (Category 3). Many of these locations are overhung by very large, fragile-looking cornices. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 24/2/99 Dry, generally settled weather throughout the period will bring about some marginal consolidation to most recent snow deposits on E to S-facing slopes and gullies. The areas high on steep scarp slopes of the same aspects will still be of concern and here the avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3) but localised. The large collapse-prone cornices that overhang these places should also be given a wide berth. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover of fresh snow down to strath level on Tuesday. Deep drifts `over the back' of Cairngorm and similar places. ICING: Still good on some routes but generally of variable quantity and quality. Rock-hard snow-ice in most gullies in N.Corries. COMMENT: Better mountain day expected on Wednesday. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 23/2/99 A Northerly airflow overnight has continued to form large areas of poorly bonded hard and soft windslab. Greatest accumulations are on E, SE and S facing slopes and gullies. Where these accumulations exist in sufficient quantities the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Avalanche debris observed above 800m on Aonach Mor. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 24/2/99 Little change is expected in the existing snowpack overnight and during Wednesday. Areas of unstable hard and soft windslab will remain in many sheltered locations. Main accumulations will be present on slopes and gullies with NE through to S aspects. 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: Freezing at all levels overnight, rising to 900m on Wednesday. COMMENT: Another pleasant day on Wednesday, becoming warmer. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 23/2/99 Snow showers and fresh winds overnight have deposited further layers of windslab on slopes facing NE to SE. Sheltered gullies and corrie headwalls above 600m contain dense layered slab which is potentially unstable. In these locations the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cornices are weak and unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 24/2/99 Rising temperatures during Wed. will make existing windslab less stable. Areas of deep layered windslab on steep slopes facing NE to SE will be weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will be soft and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 400m. ICING: Ice on rocks above 500m. COMMENT: Hard snow-ice remains on exposed NW slopes. Layered slab in sheltered locations. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 23/2/99 With no new snowfall and calmer winds the recent deposits have begun to stabilise somewhat. However on NE through to S slopes and other sheltered locations firm windslab is still moderately to weakly bonded, especially on steep slopes above 900m. The avalanche hazard in these areas is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere exposed slopes have been scoured and are very icy. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 24 /2/99 Continuing cold conditions with variable light winds and no further snow will see little change to the current conditions. Recent deposits on NE through to S slopes and other sheltered areas will remain moderately to weakly bonded. In these areas the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). As freezing levels slowly rise during Wednesday some stabilisation will occur. All exposed slopes will remain icy. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover with many open areas scoured and left icy. Best snow is in sheltered areas ICING: Some good ice about with buttresses still lean. COMMENT: Cold calm weather with freezing level slowly rising. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 23/2/99 Strong NW winds overnight have continued to cause drifting of snow and loading of N through S to W slopes above 550m with deep, highly unstable windslab. Slab can also be found in sheltered gullies and hollows on NW aspects. In these areas the avalanche hazard remains High (Category 4) and avalanche debris was noted in several areas including the Inner Coire and Coire a'Chriochairein. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 24/2/99 Temperatures will remain cold overnight with a light SE wind, but a weak warm front will affect the area later on Wednesday, bringing freshening SW winds and a rise in temperature. Areas of deep, highly unstable windslab will remain on N through S to W aspects above 550m, with shallower accumulations in gullies and hollows on other aspects. Soft, unstable cornices will be present above many slopes. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep, soft snow everywhere. ICING: Improved with colder conditions but some areas buried by large deposits of soft snow. COMMENT: Excellent ski touring conditions on the ridges, although care needed to avoid areas of windslab even on these slopes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------