NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 25/2/00
Further snow showers on  West to North-West winds have 
added to unstable accumulations on mainly East to South-East 
facing slopes.  Highly unstable cornices have formed over these 
aspects. Substantial cornice debris noted on North-East aspects 
in Coire Laogh Mor and Ciste Mhearad.  The avalanche hazard 
is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 26/2/00
Light snow showers on South-Westerly winds will bring a little 
additional slab build-up on mainly North-East facing slopes.  
Existing unstable accumulations on North through to South-East 
aspects will persist.  Remaining cornices above these aspects 
will be highly unstable and avalanches are likely, particularly 
above 850 metres on steep convex slopes of any Easterly aspect.  
Unstable pockets will also remain in some North-facing gullies.  
The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still only adequate in corries.
ICING: Ice routes gradually re-building.
COMMENT: Many Sneachda classics receiving ascents.

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 25/2/00
The strong, showery Westerly airflow is continuing to load
sheltered locations with unstable windslab. Greatest
accumulations are on sheltered NE, E and SE aspects. Localised
deposits are also present in other sheltered locations. Test pits
revealed up to 2 metres of fresh windslab accumulation in start
zones. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).
Avalanche activity observed on E aspects of Aonach Mor. Wind
scoured snow slopes remain hard frozen and stable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 26/2/00
Strong SW winds and snow showers will continue throughout the
period. Unstable windslab will continue to form in sheltered
locations. Greatest accumulations will be on sheltered N, NE and
E aspects. Other sheltered locations will also be affected.
Avalanches are likely in these locations. The avalanche hazard
will be Considerable (Category 3). Fresh cornices will be
unstable and prone to collapse. Wind scoured snow slopes will be
hard frozen and stable.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep unstable windslab present on 
many sheltered slopes.

ICING: Snow-ice present on wind scoured slopes.

COMMENT: High winds continuing.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 25/2/00
Showers overnight have deposited further layers of windslab on N
through to SE facing slopes above 600m. Corrie headwalls and
sheltered summit gullies contain areas of deep soft slab and
hail. On steep slopes the surface layers are very weakly bonded
to deep layers of hail. The avalanche hazard is Considerable
(Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 26/2/00
Snow showers will continue to deposit windslab on N to E facing
slopes above 800 metres. Soft slab will be very weakly bonded to
loose hail layers on steep corrie headwalls and in summit gully
exits. In these locations avalanches are likely. The avalanche
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 600m.

ICING: Thawing ice above 600m.

COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses the safer option. Turf still 
firm despite rising temperatures.
 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 25/2/00
Weakly bonded windslab has accumulated in sheltered locations on
N aspects and more extensive areas on NE to SE aspects. Stability
is poor with observer triggered cornice collapse resulting in
slab avalanche activity in Coire Fionn, Glas Maol. Sheltered
locations have acquired depth and large soft cornices exist. The
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 26/2/00
Weakly bonded windslab will persist on N through to SE aspects
especially in sheltered locations above 900 metres. Greatest
hazard will be found on scarp slopes and gully exits. Large soft
cornices will be suspect. The avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover on N through to SE 
aspects.

ICING: Mostly buried and of variable quality.

COMMENT: Careful route selection required.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 25/2/00
Rising temperatures today have begun to thaw and consolidate the
surface layers of snow, but instabilities remain deep within the
snowpack. Deep accumulations of weakly bonded windslab are
present on North through East to South-East aspects above 750
metres, with gullies, hollows and steep slopes below cornices
presenting the greatest hazard. The avalanche hazard is High
(Category 4).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 26/2/00
Further snowfall on a severe gale force South-West wind will
continue to build deep deposits of highly unstable windslab on
North through East to South-East aspects above 750 metres.
Instabilities will persist deep within the snowpack with large
avalanches occurring on the above mentioned aspects. Fresh
cornices will continue to build throughout the period. The
avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels - very wet at lower
altitudes.

ICING: Mostly buried.

COMMENT: Not favourable climbing conditions.




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