LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15/1/00 Cold and dry conditions have had little effect on the existing snowpack. Localised areas of unstable windslab are present on many slope aspects. Various instabilities were observed within these windslab layers. Greatest accumulations exist at the tops of many slopes and gullies with a NE through E to SW aspect. Where this windslab exist, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Wind scoured snow slopes are hard frozen and stable. Unstable cornices observed above NE and E aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16/1/00 Warmer conditions with light rain at all levels is expected during Sunday. Localised areas of unstable snow will remain on many aspects. Greatest accumulations will be at the tops of many slopes and gullies with a NE through E to SW aspect. Avalanches are likely in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Existing cornices will remain unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover above 800m. ICING: Large areas of frozen snow present on some aspects. COMMENT: Ice axe and crampons essential for all hill users. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15/1/00 With cold, settled mountain conditions continuing little change has occurred within the snowpack. Unstable windslab remains on South-East through South to South-West aspects above 800 metres. Large cornices are present above steep North through East to South-East facing slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) in the above mentioned areas. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16/1/00 The freezing level will rise to well above the summits overnight, generally aiding consolidation of the snowpack. Windslab will remain on South-East through South to South-West aspects above 800 metres. Some sluffing of snow off steep rock slabs will occur and cornices will become unstable. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover above 600m, ski-touring conditions remain good after a short walk. ICING: Enough ice on most routes, but generally not of very good quality. COMMENT: A freezing level of 1800 metres will not improve climbing conditions tomorrow (Sunday). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15/1/00 The snowpack is beginning to consolidate as the temperatures rise. N to E facing corrie headwalls above 700 metres still contain large areas of windslab. In summit gullies deep accumulations of weakly bonded soft slab exist. In these locations the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices noted throughout the glen. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16/1/00 Soaring temperatures overnight and during Sunday will make the snowpack soft and moist. Large cornices will become very unstable with the potential of collapsing and triggering avalanches in gullies below. Avalanches are likely where deep soft slab lies in steep summit gullies and N to E facing corrie headwalls above 700 metres. Avalanche hazard Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 600m. ICING: Ice above 600m. COMMENT: Large cornices should be treated with caution. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15/1/00 Some redistribution of snow has left areas of soft slab on N through to S aspects. On N to E slopes, sheltered locations and gullies continue to hold localised unstable snow with more extensive areas on SE aspects. Stability remains poor mainly on scarp and steeper slopes where softer deposits overlie harder snow ice. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16/1/00 With a rise in freezing levels stability of all recent wind blown deposits, mainly on N to S aspects, will become suspect. On steeper and scarp slopes where softer snow overlies a harder base avalanches are likely. Many cornices will threaten avalanche prone slopes below. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable on most aspects. ICING: A bit thin but good in some classic gullies and buttress routes. COMMENT: About 65 climbers in Lochnagar enjoying many routes including Crypt, Diedre of the Sorrows and Mort. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15-1-00 A mostly dry day but there were a few snow showers above the 1000 metre cloud base. The temperature at mid-day was -2.5 degrees at 1245 metres. The prevailing North-West wind contributed to some snow transport. On most locations above 850 metres where snow depth on neve is greater than half a metre the persistent easy shears are evident. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16-1-00 The widespread instability will persist in the cooler temperatures. Localised loading will contribute to nearly all aspects being effected. Similar aspect and elevation on one slope will have quite different stability from similar terrain on an adjacent slope. The nature of the fetch zone will be an immediate consideration. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin crust on dry cool snow. ICING: The well-iced boulder fields have a dusting of snow in variable lee locations. COMMENT: Heads up approach and a busy day in the corries. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------