NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/2/99 Snow showers and strong W winds have resulted in accumulations of new windslab deposits on N through to E facing aspects. Easy near surface shears showed on stability tests and where greatest accumulation exists on steep slopes of the above aspects a Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche exists. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 1/3/99 Further light snow showers with fresh W winds will see continued windslab development on lee slopes. This will maintain the current Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche. On steep N through to E facing slopes and gully tops where significant accumulations have developed, avalanches are likely. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow down to all levels. Drifting in sheltered locations. ICING: Developing. Popular lines busy. COMMENT: Staying wintry. Maximum summit temperatures minus 3 degrees Celsius. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/2/99 Strong SW winds with accompanying snow overnight and during Sunday have formed large areas of unstable snow. Weakly bonded windslab is present on many sheltered aspects. Greatest accumulations are on slopes and gullies with N, NE or E aspects above 700m. In these locations the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Elsewhere the snowpack is generally well frozen and stable. Large cornices forming. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 1/3/99 Snow showers and a Westerly airflow will continue to form areas of weakly bonded windslab overnight and during Monday. Greatest accumulations will be on slopes and gullies with N through E or SE aspects above 700m. Avalanches will occur in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Wind blown slopes will be hard frozen and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 600m. ICING: Freezing level around 600m on Monday. COMMENT: Deep soft snow in the corries making it difficult getting around. Winds decreasing. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/2/99 Strong SW winds and frequent showers have deposited further layers of windslab on N through to E slopes. Above 600m areas of deep soft slab and hail are present which are highly unstable. Where these deposits are lying on steep corrie headwalls and gullies the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Avalanche debris noted on NE facing slopes. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 1/3/99 Showers will continue to deposit fresh snow above 400m overnight and during Monday. Further layers of windslab will accumulate on N through to E facing slopes. Steep sheltered slopes and summit gullies will contain areas of highly unstable deep soft slab. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 350m. ICING: Ice on rocks above 500m. COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses the safer option. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/2/99 Snow showers and drifting snow have led to unstable deposits in sheltered locations on NW to SE aspects. Some accumulations are substantial with scarp and other steep slopes most affected. Here the hazard of avalanche is High (Category 4) with any exposed slope remaining generally stable. Cornices are continuing to grow and are unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 1/3/99 Some light snow showers will add a little to deposits in sheltered locations on N to E aspects. Poorest stability will be found on scarp and steep slopes where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) with other exposed slopes remaining stable. Cornices will require care. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A dusting down to glen level with deep areas of drifting. ICING: Many routes have reasonable ice but some areas disappearing under new snow. COMMENT: Some very good skiing around at the moment. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/2/99 Heavy snowfall overnight on SW to W winds has deposited a deep cover of fresh snow on most slopes. Drifting today as the wind strengthened to severe gale force, and continued heavy snowfall, has loaded NW through E to S slopes above 600m with highly unstable soft windslab. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4) and fresh debris was noted on N, E and SE aspects. Large unstable fresh cornices are building above NW through to S facing slopes. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 1/3/99 Light snow showers overnight and tomorrow, with drifting of lying snow continuing on strong W winds, will further load NW through E to S facing slopes above 600m with deep, highly unstable windslab. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. Cornices will continue to build and remain very unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep cover at all levels. Very hard going on foot. Should thaw slightly at lower levels tomorrow (Monday) as the freezing level rises to 600m. ICING: Plastered with fresh snow. COMMENT: Creag Meagaidh buried today! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------