NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 10-1-00 Fresh overnight snow above 600 metres has become wet. However, cold snow still exists in deep windslab layers above 1000 metres, mainly on East and South-East aspects. Easy shear tests were obtained in surface layers at both 600 and 1100 metre levels on North-East to South-East facing slopes. Fresh debris noted on North-East aspect at 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 11-1-00 New snowfall will add to accumulations on North-East to South-East facing slopes. New snow instabilities will be present, along with existing deeper instabilities. Slab layers will be underlain by a stable, icy crust. Avalanches are likely on slopes of the above aspects, mainly over 850 metres. Other aspects will be largely stable. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fair accumulations in corries above 900m, substantial deposits on E and SE facing slopes above 1000m. ICING: Snap thaw affecting climbs. COMMENT: Yesterday's brief paradise is gone. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 10/1/00 A thaw last night has led to a period of high instability during the morning with unstable wet snow at all levels. During the afternoon, the snowpack has gradually stabilised due to drier, cooler conditions. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 11/1/00 Snow above 700 metres and strong SW winds are expected through out the period. The existing snowpack will refreeze and become stable at all levels. The new snow will form as unstable windslab in locations sheltered from the SW winds. Greatest accumulations will be at the tops on N, NE and E aspects above 900m. Cornices will also reform above these aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). All wind scoured snow slopes will be hard frozen. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover remains in N and E facing corries. ICING: All wind scoured snow slopes will be hard frozen and require care. COMMENT: Climbing conditions likely to improve with the current melt-freeze cycle. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 10/1/00 Thaw conditions with rain and some sleet have left the snowpack wet at all levels. On steep N to E facing slopes and gullies wet snow instabilities exist. In these locations the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche debris noted in Stob Coire nam Beith. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 11/1/00 Colder conditions during Monday night and Tuesday morning will start to consolidate the wet snowpack. However some weakly bonded snow may still exists on steeper slopes and corrie headwalls and in particular the tops of summit gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) where wet snow still exists. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 650 metres. ICING: Thawing Ice above 700 metres. COMMENT: Buttresses the safer option. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 10/1/00 Thaw conditions at all levels are softening the snowpack. Above 900 metres on N to E aspects easy shears were noted in recent deposits. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cornices are suspect. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 11/1/00 New accumulations will form in sheltered locations on N to E aspects. On steeper slopes where new deposits form above 900 metres over existing weakly bonded areas, avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover on all aspects, better above 900 metres. ICING: Thawing again! COMMENT: Weather likely to give difficult mountain conditions during the day. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 10/1/00 Rising temperatures overnight, with a thaw at all levels, have led to a period of high instability followed today by the start of a general stabilization of the snowpack. Deep accumulations of unstable wet windslab still remain on N through E to SE aspects above 800 metres. In these areas the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Fresh avalanche debris was noted in Coire nan Gall and Coire Choille-rais. Large unstable cornices remain above steep N through E to SE aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 11/1/00 Falling temperatures overnight will help to further stabilise the existing snowpack, but moderate snowfall tomorrow (Tuesday) on gale force winds will build unstable windslab deposits on N through E to SE aspects above 750 metres. Unstable cornices will continue to build above these same aspects. The hazard of avalanche will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General thaw today but still good cover above 750m. ICING: Ice still visible but thawing today and largely buried under snow. COMMENT: Mountain conditions should improve with the colder temperatures (hopefully!). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------