NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 18/2/00 Some overnight snow has been followed by a dry morning and very light winds. The overnight winds were strong South- Westerly and have led to considerable fresh slab accumulation on North-East to South-East aspects. Easy to very easy shears were obtained in new surface layers on a North-East facing slope at 1030 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 19/2/00 Some snow showers will occur at all levels, with winds mainly Northerly. This will bring some new slab build-up on all Southerly aspects but accumulations are unlikely to be substantial. However, cold temperatures will maintain localised surface instabilities mainly on North-East to South-East facing slopes above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Gradual improvement above 600 metres, particularly on plateau. ICING: Still thin. COMMENT: A continuation of calmer conditions. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 18/2/00 Large areas of soft unconsolidated snow are present on many aspects. This snow has formed as unstable soft windslab in areas sheltered from the prevailing Westerly winds. Greatest accumulations of windslab are present, mainly on steep slopes and gullies with a NE, E and SE aspect. In these locations, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 19/2/00 A cold, showery Northerly airflow will cover the area through out the period. Unstable windslab will be present mainly on steep NE, E and SE aspects. Sheltered SE, S and SW aspects will also be affected during Saturday. Avalanches are likely in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep unconsolidated snow in many corrie floors. ICING: Wind scoured snow slopes will remain hard frozen and stable. COMMENT: Remaining cold. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 18/2/00 Snow showers overnight have deposited further layers of windslab in sheltered gullies and on NE to SE facing slopes above 600 metres. Milder temperatures today have formed further instabilities within the snowpack On steep corrie headwalls and in summit gully exits these layers are very weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 19/2/00 A return to colder conditions with light snow will start to consolidate the existing snowpack in many places. Areas of unstable windslab will remain at higher levels above 900 metres mainly in sheltered gullies and on steeper NE to SE facing slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) where deeper windslab exists on steeper slopes. Avalanches are likely in these areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 500m. ICING: Ice on rocks above 600m. COMMENT: Favourable weather conditions with a good cover of snow. What more could you ask for!! Remaining windslab will require great caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 18/2/00 Light winds have allowed new snow to settle on most slopes with greatest accumulations to be found on N through to SE aspects where a number of weakly bonded layers exist. Consolidation is taking place slowly with easy shears achieved deep within the snowpack. On steeper slopes and in gullies the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 19/2/00 There will be little change in the current situation with only light snow arriving overnight. Cold temperatures will maintain the slow consolidation process and the suspect layers found on N through to SE aspects will persist in the snowpack. Greatest hazard will be found on steeper slopes and in gullies, particularly their exits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light snow on most slopes, with deeper accumulations on N through to SE aspects. ICING: Most reliable ice above 900m. Ice, turf and buttresses covered in mainly unconsolidated snow. COMMENT: Large soft cornices exist. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 18/2/00 Although moderate amounts of snow fell last night there has been no significant fresh drifting as winds have remained light. Deep deposits of weakly bonded windslab formed earlier in the week still remain, however, on North through East to South aspects above 750 metres. Greatest accumulations are in gullies and hollows and on scarp slopes below cornices. On these aspects the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche activity was heard in Coire Ardair. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 19/2/00 Falling temperatures will help to freeze and consolidate the surface layers of the snowpack, which have been thawing at most levels on Friday, but instabilities deep within the snowpack will remain. Existing accumulations of weakly bonded windslab will still be present above 750 metres in North through East to South facing gullies and hollows, and on scarp slopes below cornices. Fresh deposits of windslab will also start to form on South-East through South to South-West aspects above 750 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep cover at all levels. ICING: Buried. COMMENT: Excellent ski-touring conditions - a sense of humour might come in handy if you're on foot! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------