NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 1/3/99 Areas of hard slab overlie softer new snow deposits on N to E aspects, although areas of hard and icy, scoured surfaces are also a feature of these aspects. In steepest locations where accumulations are greatest the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) localised. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 2/3/99 Dry weather will prevail overnight before the arrival of strong SE winds bringing further snow during Tuesday. New snow instabilities will be present as accumulations develop and by the end of the day avalanches are likely on steep NW to NE facing slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) in these locations. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover at all levels. Hard and icy in wind scoured locations. ICING: Exists in obvious drainage lines. Main gullies complete. COMMENT: Don't be caught out with deteriorating weather Tuesday afternoon. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 1/3/99 A Westerly airflow overnight and during Monday has formed large deep areas of weakly bonded soft windslab in sheltered locations. Steep slopes gullies and headwalls are particularly affected. Greatest accumulations are on N, NE or E aspects above 700m. In these locations the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Avalanche debris observed on NE and E aspects above 800m on Aonach Mor. Large unstable cornices present. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 2/3/99 A South Westerly airflow overnight is not expected to significantly stabilise the existing snowpack. As Tuesday progresses Southerly winds with sleet and snow turning to rain, will lead to a period of high instability on many aspects. Steep slopes and gullies with N, NE or E aspects will particularly be affected. In these locations avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Cornices prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 500m. ICING: Freezing level rising to 1300m by Tuesday COMMENT: Mild conditions returning for a while on Tuesday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 1/3/99 Strong SW winds and frequent showers have deposited further layers of windslab on N to E facing slopes. Above 750m areas of deep soft slab and hail are present which are unstable. Where these deposits are lying on steep corrie headwalls and in sheltered gullies the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 2/3/99 Snow showers will continue to deposit fresh snow above 600m overnight and during Tuesday morning. Milder conditions are expected in the afternoon. Further layers of windslab will accumulate on N to E facing slopes. Steep sheltered slopes and summit gullies will contain areas of unstable deep soft slab and avalanches are likely in these areas. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will also be unstable. 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 MON 1/3/99 The most recent deposits on N to E facing aspects are still unstable especially on steep slopes and scarps. Large unstable cornices also exist above these slopes. The avalanche hazard for these areas is Considerable (Category 3). Some locations exposed to the sun have had small sluffs occurring, but elsewhere good stability exists. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 2/3/99 Moderate amounts of snow and strong W winds overnight will lead to further windslab build up before sleet and snow showers move in from the South during Tuesday. The freezing level will steadily rise throughout the day leaving all recent deposits and all cornices unstable. The most hazardous areas will be N through to SE aspects where avalanches and cornice collapse will occur. Other sheltered areas where cornices exist will require caution. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Large areas of snow on plateaux and sheltered areas are generally slabby or icy. ICING: The reasonable ice that exists on many routes will be subject to thaw later on Tuesday. COMMENT: Rising freezing level and rain at all levels in the afternoon. Rock and ice fall likely as thaw persists. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 1/3/99 Yesterday's fairly mild temperatures and heavy snow have been followed by a slightly colder night, which has helped to begin consolidation of the snowpack. Light SW winds have continued to deposit some fresh windslab, and the deep slab, which formed yesterday, remains weakly bonded. Areas most affected by this unstable slab are NW through E to S aspects above 650m, with the tops of steep slopes, gullies and hollows having the deepest deposits. The hazard of avalanche is Considerable (Category 3) and debris from a large slab avalanche was noted in Coire a' Chriochairein. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 2/3/99 Heavy snowfall on a fresh SW wind will turn to rain early to mid afternoon on Tuesday as the wind strengthens and veers to S and the freezing level rises to 1000m. Additional loading of NW through E to S slopes above 650m with fresh windslab will be followed by a weakening of the bonds between layers as the temperature rises. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) and wet slab avalanches will occur later in the day. Cornices will become very unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Excellent cover at all levels. Don't forget your skis!! ICING: Although evidence of improving ice conditions, most is still buried. COMMENT: Huge cornices are present, especially above steep NW to S aspects. Beware of avalanche runout zones. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------