LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/2/00 A thaw last night has consolidated all the old snow. Fresh snow this morning has produced new areas of windslab. Greatest accumulations are present on N, NE and E aspects above 900m. The fresh windslab layers contain several instabilities, but is well bonded to the underlying old snow. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche activity observed at 1000m on E aspects of Aonach Mor. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/2/00 A cold, showery SW-W airflow will affect the area over the next 24 hours. Areas of unstable windslab will continue to form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be at the tops of sheltered N, NE, E and SE facing slopes and gullies. Avalanches are likely in these locations. Unstable cornices will also form above these aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Wind scoured snow slopes will become hard frozen and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow falling above 500m. ICING: Wind scoured snow slopes will be hard frozen and stable at all levels. COMMENT: Strong winds continuing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/2/00 Strong SW winds and snow showers have deposited new layers of soft windslab on N through to E facing slopes above 800 metres. Slopes exposed to the strong winds above 900m have become scoured and are icy in many places. Below 900m the snowpack is soft and moist. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) where deeper accumulations of windslab exist on steeper slopes. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/2/00 New snow during Sunday night and through Monday morning. These snow showers with strong winds will continue to form areas of weakly bonded windslab on N through to E facing slopes and in sheltered gullies above 700 metres. The deepest accumulations can be expected on scarp slopes below cornices and in sheltered gullies where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard in these locations will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 600m. ICING: Ice above 800m. COMMENT: Buttresses and ridges are the safer option on northerly aspects. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/2/00 Heavy rain overnight at all levels has saturated the existing snowpack and generally aided consolidation. Moderate snowfall during the day (Sunday) on light Westerly winds has started to build fresh deposits of unstable windslab on North through East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. Large cornices are continuing to build above slopes of the same aspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/2/00 Snow showers on severe gale force Westerly winds will continue to build deposits of unstable windslab on North through East to South-East aspects above 750 metres. Sheltered gullies and hollows, and steep slopes below cornices, will be most affected. Fresh cornices will remain unstable. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely on the above mentioned aspects. Elsewhere colder temperatures will leave the snowpack well bonded and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover above 750 metres, should improve by tomorrow. ICING: Small, fragile quantities visible, mostly buried. COMMENT: In spite of last night's dramatic thaw Coire Ardair remains buried. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/2/00 There has been a very unstable period today due to rapidly rising temperatures and heavy rain at all levels. The snowpack is now soft and wet with slush lying on ice at the pit site. Colder temperatures are starting to refreeze the surface layers above 900 metres but time will be required to stabilise slush layers and slumping cornices. Fresh snow is now accumulating on N to E aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/2/00 Snow showers will deposit fresh accumulations on N through to SE aspects. Stability will be poor and avalanches are likely on sheltered steeper slopes and in gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Exposed slopes will be firm and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Greatest amounts on N to E aspects and high plateau areas above 800 metres. ICING: Will improve with the completion of the melt freeze cycle tonight. COMMENT: Exposed slopes will become firm and icy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 27/2/00 The thaw continued over the top to a maximum temperature of 2 degrees at 1345 metres. Cooling trend has followed through the day with new snow accumulations that appear greatest, 10-15 centimetres, from 700-900 metres with slightly less above 1000 metres. Moderate cornice development noted above some Sneachda/Potage routes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 28/2/00 New slab and cornice strength will continue to be concerns. West and South-West winds will see most loading on East and North-East aspects. The deeper snowpack below the old crust is strong. During the forecast period the freezing level will stay below the avalanche start zone. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Lighter winds and net gain in snow depth above 800 metres. ICING: Not back to January values yet. COMMENT: Hell's Lum exit routes will be worth special care and attention. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------