NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2-1-00 Debris from a small loose avalanche observed in the Trident Gullies area of Coire an Sneachda. It appeared to be at least 24 hours old. Generally strong snowpack with a surface crust of 2 to 4 centimetres, some layers of melt-freeze and rounds below to the same old major crust about 65 centimetres down. There is moist four finger to fist resistance snow about 1 metre below surface. No consistent or easy shears from shovel test or Rutschblock. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3-1-00 There will be good stability in the existing snowpack except for isolated small pockets of slab that may be triggered with moderate new load. Avalanches are likely on North to East aspects due to this surface instability. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Dusting of new snow above 1000 metres. ICING: Good crampon crust in most locations above 700 metres. COMMENT: The master Allen Fyffe says, "These are the best conditions for the time of season in many years". LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/1/00 Colder conditions overnight and during Sunday have generally stabilised the existing snowpack. Strong SW winds with snow showers have started to form isolated areas of fresh snow. Greatest accumulations are on sheltered scarp slopes and the tops of gullies with N through to E aspects above 1000m. In these locations the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/1/00 A strong WSW airflow with accompanying snow showers overnight and through Monday will continue to form areas of unstable fresh snow. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered steep slopes and the tops of gullies with N, NE and E aspects above 800m. In these locations the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will remain generally stable. Cornices starting to reform above these aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover remaining above 800m ICING: Freezing level lowering to 700m by Monday. COMMENT: Strong winds expected Monday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/1/00 Colder conditions during Saturday night have started to stabilised most of the snowpack above 700m. The snowpack is still moist but it is generally well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/1/00 New snow and very strong SW winds will affect the area during Sunday night and Monday morning. New areas of windslab will start to reform and will be present on NW through to SE facing slopes and in sheltered gullies above 500m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) in areas where accumulations of new snow and windslab are greatest. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 600m. ICING: Ice reforming above 700m. COMMENT: Stormy conditions can be expected. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/1/00 A dusting of new snow has fallen above 900m with light accumulations on N to E aspects. These are of little consequence and the snowpack remains firm and stable at all levels. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/1/00 Moderate amounts of snow on strong S to SW winds overnight will deposit fresh accumulations at all levels. Where these new deposits overlie harder snow ice on NW through to SE aspects on steeper slopes of sheltered locations avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere exposed slopes will remain firm and scoured. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still reasonable above 850m. ICING: Improving with return to colder conditions. COMMENT: Strong winds and snow showers will give difficult mountain conditions on Monday. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 2/1/00 Overnight mild conditions and rain have severely depleted snow cover below 800m. However colder temperatures have left the snowpack generally well bonded in most places above 800m, but with light snow showers on a fresh Westerly airstream isolated areas of fresh windslab can be found on N through E to S aspects. Sheltered gulliies and hollows of the above mentioned aspects are particulary affected. In these areas the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 3/1/00 Overnight and tommorrow with the freezing level dropping to 70m and snow on a strong S-SW becoming WSW wind. Significant quantities of fresh unstable windslab will soon accumulate. Deepest accumulations will be found in sheltered gullies and hollows of a NW through E to SE aspect above 750m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category3) with avalanches likely in the above mentioned areas. Fresh cornices will build throughout the forecast period. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still good cover above 800m. ICING: Looking a lot more promising after thaw freeze process. COMMENT: Hard snow-ice on wind-scoured slopes above 800m. Ice axe and crampons essential for safe travel. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------