NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 24/1/00 Winds shifted to Southerly at midday are very light. The slab is still evident in the form of a dry stiff layer up to 130 centimetres thick. It has had a reasonable period of settlement and appears to be well bonded. There is some reent debris from loose snow avalanches triggered by climbers on Coire an t-Sneachda routes. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 25/1/00 The deeper snowpack will remain strong. In increasingly more isolated locations on steep and unsupported terrain the slab will be unstable, particularly on South aspects above 1000 metres. Daytime warming and direct sun on South aspects will contribute to surface instability. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good skiable snow cover on unpisted slopes down to 700 metres. ICING: The usual ice and boulder fields are well rimed above 950 metres. COMMENT: Cornice development is minimal on Northerly aspects and moderate on Southerly aspects. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 24/1/00 Localised areas of moderately bonded snow are present, accumulations are generally restricted to the tops of E, SE and S facing slopes and gullies above 1150m. This windslab still exhibits some instability but is gradually stabilising. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) in these locations. Elsewhere the snowpack is generally stable, with large areas of snow-ice present on many slopes. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 25/1/00 Cold and calm conditions are expected to further stabilise the snow pack during the forecast period. Localised areas of remaining windslab will be generally restricted to the tops of steep slopes and gullies with E through to S aspects above 1150m. In these locations the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack will be generally stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations exist in N and E facing corries above 800m. ICING: Plenty of routes being climbed in the area. COMMENT: Large areas of snow-ice present on many slopes. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 24/1/00 The snowpack above 700 metres is generally firm and stable. On E to S aspects the surface crust is becoming soft due to solar warming. Cornices above these slopes are becoming less stable. Elsewhere many slopes contain hard snow ice (neve). The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 25/1/00 Cold conditions overnight will refreeze any soft snow at all levels and aspects. During Tuesday soaring temperatures will soften the snowpack especially on E to S aspects and weaken cornices. By mid afternoon summit gully exits will contain areas of soft wet slab. The avalanche hazard will become Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 700m. ICING: Ice above 400m. COMMENT: Hard snow-ice in a.m. softening towards p.m. Cornices above sunny aspects becoming unstable. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 24/1/00 Unstable areas of recent wind blown snow are to be found primarily in sheltered locations on E through to S aspects. A reasonable melt freeze crust on SE and S aspects has helped provide some stability. Shovel tests revealed a lack of bonding within several snow layers further into the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 25/1/00 The freezing level will rise above the summits. On steeper and scarp slopes on E through to S aspects, recent deposits that overlie harder snow ice will have poor stability. In addition many slopes will be threatened by recently reformed cornices. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remains good in higher plateau areas. ICING: Good in classic gully lines, Buttresses need some divine attention. COMMENT: Cornices will be suspect with a return to warmer temperatures. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 24/1/00 Last night a fresh Northerly wind with light snow showers deposited shallow accumulations of windslab on South-East through South to South-West aspects above 800 metres. Today's brilliant sunshine has helped consolidate the windslab on open slopes, but on shaded aspects moderately bonded windslab still exists. In these areas the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 25/1/00 The cold and calm conditions will continue, so there will be little change to the current snow conditions. Shallow accumulations of moderately bonded windslab will persist on South-East through South to South-West aspects above 800 metres. Other aspects will remain well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 800 metres. Patchy on exposed ridges. Good snow-ice for walking. ICING: The Post Face and Inner Coire offer the best climbing. COMMENT: Favourable mountain conditions will continue. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------