NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 1/2/00 Snow followed by rain on Westerly winds has created areas of wet slab on North to East facing slopes, mainly above 900 metres. A thin layer of slush separates the slab from underlying snow-ice. Debris from two slab avalanches with starting zones at 1100 metres was noted on North to North-East facing slopes on Coire Cas headwall. Although localised, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 2/2/00 The existing snowpack will re-freeze and stabilise. However, snow showers at all levels on strong South-West to Westerly winds will create areas of fresh windslab on mainly North through to South-East facing slopes above 750 metres. Gully tops on other aspects will also be affected and cornices will build above North and East aspects. Avalanches are likely in all of these areas. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still good cover in corries. ICING: Recovering from the brief thaw. COMMENT: Wet slabs today, dry slabs tomorrow. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 1/2/00 Colder conditions during Tuesday morning have started to consolidate the existing wet snowpack. Some localised areas of moderately bonded wet snow exist, mainly on steep slopes and gullies with N through to SE aspects. In these locations the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack is generally stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 2/2/00 Continuing colder conditions for the forecast period will generally stabilise the existing snowpack. Showery SW to W winds with snow overnight and during Wednesday will form fresh areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered steep slopes, scarp slopes and gullies with NE through to SE aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) in these locations. Wind scoured slopes will be hard frozen and icy. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover above 800 metres. ICING: Best remaining in the deep gully lines, a bit thin elsewhere. COMMENT: Any fresh deposits will require caution. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 1/2/00 Overnight and during Tuesday morning mild conditions have affected the area and a heavy thaw has taken place at all levels. On steep slopes above 800 metres wet snow instabilities exist and remaining cornices are unstable and prone to collapse. Where these conditions exist the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 2/2/00 Colder conditions will start to refreeze the old snowpack. New snow during Tuesday night and Wednesday morning will be accompanied by strong winds. Fresh deposits of windslab will accumulate on slopes facing NE through to SE and in all sheltered gullies, with greatest accumulations above 700 metres. These new deposits will not be significant but where deep deposits overlie the icy re-frozen snowpack the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 700m. ICING: Ice starting to reform above 600m. COMMENT: Chilling conditions! Buttresses and ridges are the safer option. Caution required where slab is on ice. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 1/2/00 Overnight rain has left the surface layers of the snowpack moist and soft at all levels with recent deposits now well bonded to the older snow. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Where cornices remain they are suspect. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 2/2/00 Snow arriving during the day will begin to accumulate in sheltered locations on NE to SE aspects. Bonding between layers will be poor especially where fresh deposits overlie firmer snow ice. In steeper locations where these new accumulations acquire any great depth the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will start to reform. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Most amounts in the River Dee otherwise N to E corries and high plateau areas. ICING: Subject to thaw at all levels today. COMMENT: A return to more wintry conditions on Wednesday. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 1/2/00 Mild conditions overnight and during this morning have been replaced by a colder, showery airflow. Initially the snowpack became wet in the mild conditions, but has hardened up again with the colder weather. Also snow showers on a strong westerly wind are causing windslab deposits to form in sheltered gullies and hollows of a North through East to South-East aspect above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 2/2/00 Snow showers on a gale force westerly wind will cause accumulations of unstable windslab to form in sheltered gullies and hollows of a North through East to South-East aspect above 800 metres. Fresh cornices will begin to form above the same aspects during the period. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover in scoops and hollows above 800 metres. Becoming somewhat depleted. ICING: Has held on quite well during the thaw and should become good with the return to colder conditions. COMMENT: Pleasantly surprised today not to get wet through! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------