NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/1/00 The prevailing Westerly winds have eased considerably. Local loading of slab observed on South-East and East aspects from 900 to 1100 metres. Some cornice debris noted on an East aspect but it did not pull out the slab below. On some terrain features the slab appears to have stabilised. Where tested the slab sheared easily down to 20 centimetres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/2/00 South-West winds and snow in the forecast period will add new slab to North-East aspects. Although there has been some settlement of the slab on South-East aspects it will still have shear potential. Avalanches are likely on these aspects above 1000 metres. Instability on various aspects of gully exits will require careful route selection. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Crisp crampon conditions. ICING: Ice to 20 centimetres thick in the boulder fields. COMMENT: Thread the needle carefully through the terrain aspects of instability. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/1/00 Colder conditions overnight and during Monday have generally consolidated the existing snowpack. Shallow fresh deposits of snow are restricted to the tops of slopes and gullies with N and E aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/2/00 Heavy rain overnight and during Tuesday will lead to a period of wet snow instability on steep aspects, where avalanches are likely. Greatest instabilities will be on steep slopes and gullies with a NE through to SE aspect above 800 metres. Colder conditions and snow later on Tuesday will help consolidate the existing wet snowpack, with isolated areas of unstable windslab starting to form in the above locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover in N and E facing corries. ICING: Set to rise above the summits overnight and on Tuesday morning. COMMENT: Thaw-freeze cycle continuing. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/1/00 Colder conditions during Sunday night and early Monday have refrozen and stabilised the snowpack. Isolated shallow patches of soft slab exist on sheltered NE to SE facing slopes above 800m. This new layer is localised and generally insignificant. However on steeper slopes where deep accumulations exist on top of the refrozen icy crust the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/2/00 Overnight and during Tuesday morning mild conditions will affect the area and thawing will take place at all levels. On steep slopes wet snow instabilities will exist and cornices will become unstable and prone to collapse. Where these conditions exist the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). During Tuesday afternoon new snow can be expected and fresh deposits of windslab will accumulate on slopes facing NE through to SE and in all sheltered gullies above 750 metres. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 700m. ICING: Wet thawing ice above 650m. COMMENT: Buttresses and ridges are the safer option. New snow in gullies will require caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/1/00 Heavy overnight rain followed by a drop in the freezing levels has left the snowpack hard and icy with only a few localised areas of softer snow. New deposits of snow are insignificant but on steeper slopes of NE to SE aspects older soft areas of snow remain moderately bonded. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/2/00 Overnight rain will continue into the day before a return to wintry conditions. On N through to E aspects drifting will lead to deep accumulations during the day in sheltered locations and some gullies. Where new snow overlies existing snow ice stability will be poor and on steeper slopes avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Higher plateau areas and corries hold the most. ICING: Mainly in gully lines, buttresses are a bit black. COMMENT: Not going to be the best day on the hill. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/1/00 Overnight conditions became cold and calm with only a trace of new snow above 850 metres. Due to the snowpack being saturated in yesterday's thaw, the freezing temperatures that followed have left the snowpack well bonded and stable on all aspects. Sleet is beginning to fall above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/2/00 Mild conditions will return causing the snowpack to soften up and become wet again. Later in the day moderate snow showers on a gale force South-West wind will cause accumulations of windslab to build in sheltered gullies and hollows of a North through East to South-East aspect above 900 metres. With the slow change to colder conditions the windslab should bond reasonably well with the underlying snow. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy above 800 metres. Good cover on Northern aspects. ICING: Where ice is visible it's blue and bonza! COMMENT: Thaw freeze/cycle will continue. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------