NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 28/2/00 On East aspects above 900 metres an unstable slab, nearly two metres thick, is sitting on the old crust. This shears very easily in all field tests. Debris from cornice triggered avalanche observed in Coire Laogh Mor. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 29/2/00 The snow stability will deteriorate in the forecast period. Additional load from Westerly snow showers will add more stress to the snowpack. The cooler temperatures will prevent bonding of the shear layers. Avalanches will occur mainly on North and East aspects above 900 metres. Cornices will be highly unstable. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Extensive wind slab especially on East aspects above 900 metres. Variable loading by aspect and cross loading on scarp slopes is occurring. ICING: Only the steepest N and E aspect ice is not covered by snow and this has loaded avalanche slopes above. COMMENT: Classic direct action avalanche conditions prevail, another cycle will follow when warming occurs. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 28/2/00 New snow overnight and today with strong SW winds have formed widespread areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are present on N, NE and E aspects and in all sheltered gullies above 800 metres. The fresh windslab layers contain several instabilities giving easy shears under test. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Avalanche debris observed below Castle gullies. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 29/2/00 A cold, showery SW-W airflow will affect the area over the next 24 hours. Areas of fresh unstable windslab will form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be on N through to SE facing slopes and in all sheltered gullies mainly above 900 metres. Avalanches are likely in these locations. Unstable cornices will also form above these aspects. The avalanche hazard will Considerable (Category 3). Wind scoured snow slopes will become hard frozen and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow falling above 300m. ICING: Ice on rocks above 700. Wind scoured snow slopes will be hard frozen and stable at all levels. COMMENT: Many route approaches have deep unstable snow. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 28/2/00 Strong SW winds and snow showers have deposited further new layers of soft windslab on N through to E facing slopes above 750 metres. Slopes exposed to the strong winds above 800 metres have less accumulations of new snow and are icy in many places. The snowpack is generally soft and weakly bonded in all sheltered areas. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) where deeper accumulations of windslab exist on steeper slopes. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 29/2/00 Snow showers during Monday night and through Tuesday with strong winds will continue to form areas of weakly bonded windslab. The deepest accumulations will be on N through to E facing slopes and in all sheltered hollows and gullies above 700 metres. Where deep layered windslab exists on steep slopes especially on scarp slopes below cornices avalanches will occur increasing the avalanche hazard to High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 400m. ICING: Ice above 800m. COMMENT: Buttresses and ridges are the safer option. Most gullies contain deep unstable snow. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 28/2/00 Heavy snow showers and strong winds have deposited snow into sheltered locations on N to SE aspects. Accumulations were deepest on NE to E aspects with around 250 cm of fresh snow on a hard base at the pit site which was at 900 metres. Consolidation was minimal and stability was poor at a number of layers within the snowpack. Observers easily triggered a recently formed cornice and surface layers on a NE aspect. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Exposed slopes remain stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 29/2/00 There will be some snow showers and continued drifting adding to the unstable snowpack on N to SE aspects. Bonding of recent accumulations will remain slow and avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Cornices will remain suspect but any exposed slope will be icy and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow on N to SE aspects. ICING: Mostly buried. Buttress routes need a shovel. COMMENT: Some cornices above gullies in Lochnagar and Beinn a Bhuird are very large. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 28/2/00 Heavy snowfall on a severe gale force Westerly wind has deposited deep unstable windslab on North through East to South-East aspects above 750 metres. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Recent avalanche debris was noted on Easterly aspects. Large highly unstable cornices continue to build on above mentioned aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 29/2/00 Snowfall will continue tonight and tomorrow on a severe gale force Westerly wind. This, combined with considerable drifting will add to already deep unstable windslab on North through East to South-East aspects above 750 metres, where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover at all levels. ICING: Still buried. COMMENT: Improving ski-touring conditions, deteriorating walking/climbing conditions. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------