NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 24/2/99 Dry settled conditions have allowed some consolidation of recent deposits. Pockets of windslab do still exist particularly on E through to S aspects, large cornices were also noted on crags of the above aspects ie Hell's Lum. Elsewhere stability was good. Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 25/2/99 Moderate SW winds with snow overnight, then a rise in freezing levels bringing light rain to all levels. Large cornices primarily above E through to S aspects will become unstable in the thaw conditions and small wet avalanches from most recent new snow are also likely in these locations. A further hazard also exists from falling ice. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover on plateau. Hard/icy in wind exposed areas. Soft drifts at lower levels. ICING: Good build up on some crags in Loch Avon basin, (best on Hell's Lum). Riming on N facing crags. COMMENT: End of sunshine factor; normal service resumes for Thursday! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 24/2/99 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 this snow is present, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 25/2/99 A period of snow tonight will be followed by light rain at all levels during Thursday. The instabilities within the present snowpack will remain. Avalanches are likely on steep slopes and gullies with a NE, E or SE aspect. In these locations the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). A return to colder conditions later on Thursday will stabilise the existing snowpack. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main snow accumulations remain above 700m. ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits overnight and during Thursday. COMMENT: Strong SW winds expected on Thursday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 24/2/99 Light showers overnight have deposited a dusting of fresh snow on all aspects above 300m. Localised areas of dense layered windslab are present on NE through to SE slopes mainly above 600m. In steep summit gullies and sheltered corrie headwalls there are areas of deep and potentially unstable windslab. In these locations the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK 25/2/99 Light rain above the summits overnight and during Thursday will make existing windslab less stable. Areas of deep layered windslab on steep slopes and gullies facing NE to SE will be weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will be soft and prone to collapse. Exposed areas of old snow-ice will soften but remain generally stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 450m. ICING: Ice on rocks above 450m. COMMENT: Layered slab in gully exits. Approaching thaw/freeze will create icy conditions for the weekend. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 24/2/99 The recent deposits are continuing to stabilise as fine sunny weather prevails. On steep convex slopes and scarp slopes of mainly E to S aspects above 900m snow is still moderately to weakly bonded as instabilities still exist within the snowpack. Some sheltered areas of N facing corries are also holding localised deposits of windslab. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 25/2/99 There will be some light snowfall and strong SW winds before a return to milder conditions and rain at all levels thaws the existing snowpack. On steep slopes and scarps of N through to S aspects the recent deposits will remain only moderately to weakly bonded especially where they overlie old snow-ice or rock slabs. If overnight snow is of any quantity some small wet sluffs may result. Any remaining cornices will be suspect. In these areas the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy snow, with more complete cover on plateaux areas will begin to thaw. ICING: Some good ice about in a few places although generally lean. Not many routes in Lochnagar in condition. Buttresses will suffer further during thaw. COMMENT: Unfortunately the fine weather is due to deteriorate as unsettled weather returns. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 24/2/99 Yesterday's milder conditions followed by last night's freeze have helped to begin consolidation of the weekend's heavy snowfall. On N through E to S aspects above 650m and in gullies and hollows, where accumulations of snow are deepest, unstable hard slab is still present. In these areas the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Many slopes are wind scoured in places, with well-consolidated hard snow-ice. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 25/2/99 A return to milder conditions over the next 24 hours with strengthening SW winds and light rain tomorrow. This will result in a general consolidation of the snowpack but fresh cornices will become very unstable and prone to collapse. Unstable hard slab will remain on N through E to S facing slopes above 750m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Slopes blown clear of fresh snow will be well- consolidated and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Excellent cover at all levels. ICING: Improving but most is still buried. COMMENT: Superb ski-touring - watch out for icy bits. Heavy going on foot - nobody's managed to break trail into Coire Ardair yet! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------