NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25-12-99 Heavy snow at all levels and strong but variable winds have created substantial build-up on slopes of most aspects. This lies over existing unstable windslab layers on North, through East to South aspects. Easy shears were found in surface layers at 600 metres. Although greatest accumulations are still in corries above 850 metres, some lower-level locations are now affected. The avalanche hazard is Category 5 (Very High). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 26-12-99 Continuing snow showers with mainly Westerly winds will further load unstable layers on all Easterly aspects. This will maintain the Category 5 (Very High) avalanche hazard. Large natural avalanches will occur on slopes of any aspect. Avalanche run-outs below steep slopes may be exceptionally long. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels. Old snow-ice mainly buried at the back of corries above 850 metres. ICING: Boulder fields, where exposed, are icy. Most ice climbs not reachable. COMMENT: No need to dream of a white Christmas here! Actual time of filing Report, 12.15 hrs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25/12/99 Overnight and during Saturday there has been heavy snow showers at all levels accompanied by strong Westerly winds. Large areas of unstable windslab exist, mainly on sheltered N, NE, E and SE aspects above 700m. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 26/12/99 The cold, showery Westerly airflow is expected to continue through out the period. Unstable windslab will continue to form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on N, NE, E and SE aspects above 700m, particularly on scarp slopes, crag aprons and in gullies. Avalanches will occur in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Fresh unstable cornices will also be present, mainly above NE, E and SE aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying down to 100m. ICING: Windblown snow slopes will remain icy. COMMENT: Large areas of unstable snow present. Extreme caution required. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25/12/99 Heavy snow on an 80mph NW wind has caused deep accumulations of highly unstable windslab to form on N through E to SE aspects above 600m. Open slopes are affected as well as sheltered gullies and hollows. Cornices are continuing to form rapidly. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 26/12/99 Further snowfall on strong Westerly winds will continue to load the existing very unstable windslab accumulations found on N through E to SE aspects. Although colder temperatures will help to consolidate the wetter snow found at lower levels (400- 500m). Dangerous conditions will be encountered on open slopes as well as gullies and hollows above 500m. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4) with avalanches occurring on the above mentioned aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow at all levels. Horrendous trail breaking required to get anywhere. ICING: I couldn't tell as my eyes were packed with snow! However somewhere under all the snow there'll be some. COMMENT: A very white Xmas. Blizzard conditions even at low levels. Hopefully Santa got through! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25/12/99 New snow exists above 300m, which has drifted into all sheltered areas. The snowpack is soft at all levels with the greatest accumulations being in N to E facing corries and in sheltered gullies above 600m. On steep slopes in these locations areas of potentially unstable snow exists. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 26/12/99 Further snow deposits and hail at most levels with strong Westerly winds can be expected overnight and during Sunday. This will continue to form areas of unstable snow and windslab above 600m on sheltered ground facing N through to SE. Where unstable snow exists on steep slopes and in gullies avalanches will occur the avalanche hazard will be High in these locations (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 300m. ICING: Ice re-forming above 500m. COMMENT: Areas of deep unconsolidated snow require great caution. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 25/12/99 Heavy snow showers and strong S winds have left substantial amounts of windslab on E through to W aspects above 800m. On these aspects the snowpack is weakly bonded with the avalanche hazard High (Category 4). Cornices are very unstable and threaten avalanche prone slopes below. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 26/12/99 Further snowfall will continue to load deposits on to already unstable slopes on W through to E aspects where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable cover on most aspects but wet snow up to 800m. ICING: A drop in freezing levels tonight will see an improvement in the quality of remaining ice. COMMENT: Footpaths are heavily drifted making any walking tiresome. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------