NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/00 Heavy snow showers have created further accumulations of fresh windslab on mainly North to East facing slopes above 850 metres. Tests on slopes of these aspects at 900 metres showed easy shears in soft surface layers. However, the new slab build- up is localised, with main accumulations below East and North- facing corrie rims. Large cornices are now present above these aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/00 Further snow showers on strong Westerly winds will further load unstable accumulations on North and East-facing slopes above 850 metres. Cornice build-up will also continue above these aspects. New slab accumulations will be locally substantial. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still fairly lean cover, slowly improving. ICING: Rapidly improving. Good snow-ice in scoured areas. COMMENT: Large cornices above Sneachda gullies. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/00 The return to colder temperatures has stabilised all of the existing snowpack. Strong Westerly winds and snow showers have produced fresh areas of unstable windslab. The strong winds have made the location of this windslab fairly variable, but main accumulations are on sheltered NE, E and SE aspects above 750m. Other sheltered aspects are also affected. Where this windslab is present, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/00 The strong, showery, Westerly airflow will continue through out the forecast period. Areas of unstable windslab will continue to form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered NE, E and SE aspects above 750m. Other sheltered locations will also be affected. Avalanches are likely in these locations. Where this windslab is present, the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). On windward snow slopes, stability will be excellent. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow falling down to 300m. ICING: Wind scoured snow slopes will remain hard frozen and stable. COMMENT: Strong winds continuing. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/00 The old snowpack has developed a firm crust in the colder conditions. New snow has formed areas of windslab on N through to SE facing corrie headwalls mainly above 600m In steep sheltered gullies and hollows deep soft slab and hail is very weakly bonded to the old snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Major avalanche debris in two locations in Coire nam Beith. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/00 Further layers of windslab will accumulate on N through to SE facing corrie headwalls overnight and during Friday. Deep soft slab and hail lying on steep slopes and in summit gullies will be very weakly bonded. Avalanches are likely where large cornices overhang gully exits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 400m. ICING: Ice forming above 500m. COMMENT: Ice continuing to build up in "full winter conditions!" SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/2/00 REPORT WILL BE LATE AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/2/00 CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: ICING: COMMENT: CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/00 Heavy snowfalls on a gale force westerly wind have caused heavy drifting with deep accumulations of highly unstable windslab forming on sheltered slopes of a North through East to South-East aspect above 700 metres. Fresh avalanche debris was noted in Coire Dubh on Carn Liath. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/00 Heavy snowfalls on a gale force westerly wind will continue. Further drifting of this snow will occur, adding to the existing highly unstable windslab accumulations on sheltered slopes of a North through East to South-East aspect above 700 metres. Fresh cornices are building above the same aspects. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4) with avalanches occurring on the above mentioned slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels. Difficult going on foot. ICING: What little exists is now horribly buried. COMMENT: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/00 Heavy snow showers have created further accumulations of fresh windslab on mainly North to East facing slopes above 850 metres. Tests on slopes of these aspects at 900 metres showed easy shears in soft surface layers. However, the new slab build- up is localised, with main accumulations below East and North- facing corrie rims. Large cornices are now present above these aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/00 Further snow showers on strong Westerly winds will further load unstable accumulations on North and East-facing slopes above 850 metres. Cornice build-up will also continue above these aspects. New slab accumulations will be locally substantial. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still fairly lean cover, slowly improving. ICING: Rapidly improving. Good snow-ice in scoured areas. COMMENT: Large cornices above Sneachda gullies. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/00 The return to colder temperatures has stabilised all of the existing snowpack. Strong Westerly winds and snow showers have produced fresh areas of unstable windslab. The strong winds have made the location of this windslab fairly variable, but main accumulations are on sheltered NE, E and SE aspects above 750m. Other sheltered aspects are also affected. Where this windslab is present, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/00 The strong, showery, Westerly airflow will continue through out the forecast period. Areas of unstable windslab will continue to form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered NE, E and SE aspects above 750m. Other sheltered locations will also be affected. Avalanches are likely in these locations. Where this windslab is present, the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). On windward snow slopes, stability will be excellent. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow falling down to 300m. ICING: Wind scoured snow slopes will remain hard frozen and stable. COMMENT: Strong winds continuing. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/00 The old snowpack has developed a firm crust in the colder conditions. New snow has formed areas of windslab on N through to SE facing corrie headwalls mainly above 600m In steep sheltered gullies and hollows deep soft slab and hail is very weakly bonded to the old snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Major avalanche debris in two locations in Coire nam Beith. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/00 Further layers of windslab will accumulate on N through to SE facing corrie headwalls overnight and during Friday. Deep soft slab and hail lying on steep slopes and in summit gullies will be very weakly bonded. Avalanches are likely where large cornices overhang gully exits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 400m. ICING: Ice forming above 500m. COMMENT: Ice continuing to build up in "full winter conditions!" SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/00 Heavy snow showers on strong W winds have led to rapid accumulation of unstable windslab in sheltered locations on N aspects and more extensive areas on NE to SE aspects. Avalanche activity was noted in Garbh Choire Beinn a'Bhuird and Lochnagar. Recent deposits are weakly bonded to the refrozen base and the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Large cornices have formed. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/00 Snow showers and drifting will continue to load unstable deposits onto the already weakly bonded snowpack on N through to SE aspects where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Large rapidly forming cornices will be unstable and will threaten the avalanche prone slopes below. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow settling at 500m. ICING: Of mixed quality and buried by unconsolidated powder on N through to SE aspects. COMMENT: Extremely careful route selection required. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/00 Heavy snowfalls on a gale force westerly wind have caused heavy drifting with deep accumulations of highly unstable windslab forming on sheltered slopes of a North through East to South-East aspect above 700 metres. Fresh avalanche debris was noted in Coire Dubh on Carn Liath. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/00 Heavy snowfalls on a gale force westerly wind will continue. Further drifting of this snow will occur, adding to the existing highly unstable windslab accumulations on sheltered slopes of a North through East to South-East aspect above 700 metres. Fresh cornices are building above the same aspects. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4) with avalanches occurring on the above mentioned slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels. Difficult going on foot. ICING: What little exists is now horribly buried. COMMENT: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/00 Heavy snow showers have created further accumulations of fresh windslab on mainly North to East facing slopes above 850 metres. Tests on slopes of these aspects at 900 metres showed easy shears in soft surface layers. However, the new slab build- up is localised, with main accumulations below East and North- facing corrie rims. Large cornices are now present above these aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/00 Further snow showers on strong Westerly winds will further load unstable accumulations on North and East-facing slopes above 850 metres. Cornice build-up will also continue above these aspects. New slab accumulations will be locally substantial. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still fairly lean cover, slowly improving. ICING: Rapidly improving. Good snow-ice in scoured areas. COMMENT: Large cornices above Sneachda gullies. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/00 The return to colder temperatures has stabilised all of the existing snowpack. Strong Westerly winds and snow showers have produced fresh areas of unstable windslab. The strong winds have made the location of this windslab fairly variable, but main accumulations are on sheltered NE, E and SE aspects above 750m. Other sheltered aspects are also affected. Where this windslab is present, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/00 The strong, showery, Westerly airflow will continue through out the forecast period. Areas of unstable windslab will continue to form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered NE, E and SE aspects above 750m. Other sheltered locations will also be affected. Avalanches are likely in these locations. Where this windslab is present, the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). On windward snow slopes, stability will be excellent. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow falling down to 300m. ICING: Wind scoured snow slopes will remain hard frozen and stable. COMMENT: Strong winds continuing. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/00 The old snowpack has developed a firm crust in the colder conditions. New snow has formed areas of windslab on N through to SE facing corrie headwalls mainly above 600m In steep sheltered gullies and hollows deep soft slab and hail is very weakly bonded to the old snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Major avalanche debris in two locations in Coire nam Beith. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/00 Further layers of windslab will accumulate on N through to SE facing corrie headwalls overnight and during Friday. Deep soft slab and hail lying on steep slopes and in summit gullies will be very weakly bonded. Avalanches are likely where large cornices overhang gully exits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 400m. ICING: Ice forming above 500m. COMMENT: Ice continuing to build up in "full winter conditions!" SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/00 Heavy snow showers on strong W winds have led to rapid accumulation of unstable windslab in sheltered locations on N aspects and more extensive areas on NE to SE aspects. Avalanche activity was noted in Garbh Choire Beinn a'Bhuird and Lochnagar. Recent deposits are weakly bonded to the refrozen base and the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Large cornices have formed. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/00 Snow showers and drifting will continue to load unstable deposits onto the already weakly bonded snowpack on N through to SE aspects where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Large rapidly forming cornices will be unstable and will threaten the avalanche prone slopes below. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow settling at 500m. ICING: Of mixed quality and buried by unconsolidated powder on N through to SE aspects. COMMENT: Extremely careful route selection required. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 24/2/00 Heavy snowfalls on a gale force westerly wind have caused heavy drifting with deep accumulations of highly unstable windslab forming on sheltered slopes of a North through East to South-East aspect above 700 metres. Fresh avalanche debris was noted in Coire Dubh on Carn Liath. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 25/2/00 Heavy snowfalls on a gale force westerly wind will continue. Further drifting of this snow will occur, adding to the existing highly unstable windslab accumulations on sheltered slopes of a North through East to South-East aspect above 700 metres. Fresh cornices are building above the same aspects. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4) with avalanches occurring on the above mentioned slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels. Difficult going on foot. ICING: What little exists is now horribly buried. COMMENT: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------