NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 25/1/00 Clear, calm sunny conditions prevail. The most recently loaded slopes, mainly on E and S aspects above 900 metres, have deep slab layers lying on old snow-ice. Although the surface layer is becoming stronger due to sun-warming and re-freezing, slab layers below are unstable and easy shears were obtained at three levels in a test pit on an E-facing slope at 1100 metres. N aspects have a thin crust which shears easily, but are otherwise stable. Due to the localised nature of instabilities, the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 26/1/00 Very light snow showers will not greatly change the snowpack. Most aspects will be stable, but localised deep instabilities will persist on E and S facing slopes, particularly above 1000 metres. Convex scarp slopes are particularly indicated. The hazard will increase as sun warms the surface layer during the day. This layer may be triggered by high additional load. This localised instability will lead to a Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Plateau cover good. ICING: Many routes in condition. COMMENT: Poor run-outs below crags. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 25/1/00 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 surface instabilities especially in areas exposed to solar radiation. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack is generally stable, with large areas of snow-ice present on many slopes. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 26/1/00 Light snow showers and a WSW airflow overnight and during Wednesday will start to form localised areas of unstable snow. These deposits will generally be restricted to the tops of steep slopes and gullies with NE through to S aspects above 900m. 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: Becoming softer on the buttresses and areas exposed to the sun. COMMENT: Large areas of snow-ice present on many slopes. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 25/1/00 The snowpack above 700 metres is generally firm and stable. On E to S aspects receiving strong sunlight the surface crust is soft. Cornices above these slopes are becoming less stable. Elsewhere any shaded slopes contain hard snow ice (neve). The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 26/1/00 Overnight and during Wednesday there will be new snow above 900 metres. Sheltered summit gullies and high N to E facing corrie headwalls will accumulate areas of shallow windslab. Below 900m the snowpack will gradually soften and existing cornices will become less stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 700m. ICING: Ice above 500m. COMMENT: Beware of unstable cornices. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 25/1/00 Localised areas of moderately bonded snow persist on E to S aspects above 900 metres. Melt freeze conditions have left all other slopes well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 26/1/00 A trace of fresh snow during the day will have little effect on the snowpack which will remain generally well bonded. Localised areas of moderately bonded snow will persist on E to S aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good on high plateau areas and N to E corries. ICING: Good in gully lines. COMMENT: Some buttresses are starting to hoar up but are still a bit thin. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 25/1/00 High pressure has persisted with cold and calm conditions on the mountains. This has meant that there has been virtually no change to the current snow conditions. Shallow accumulations of moderately bonded windslab have persisted in sheltered areas on South-East through South to South-West aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 26/1/00 With a change in wind direction to the West coupled with very light snow showers, windslab will be redistributed on to North- East through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Shallow accumulations will be encountered at the very tops of sheltered gullies on lee slopes. 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 hard snow in most places for getting about. ICING: The Post Face and Inner Coire offer the best conditions. COMMENT: Postman Pat has received ascents in the last couple of days. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------