NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 29/12/05 During the day a strengthening South-Easterly wind has transported any loose snow into localised lee areas on corrie rims and into gully exits on North-Westerly to Northerly aspects above 950 metres. Here the snow is weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 30/12/05 Strong South-Easterly winds will bring snow showers overnight which will become heavy during the day. Precipitation will fall as snow to 300 metres in the morning. During the afternoon the freezing level will rise to above the summits and the wind will veer South-Westerly. Snow will accumulate in lee areas on West through North to Easterly aspects above 500 metres. Here the snowpack will be unstable and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable ( Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy snow cover remaining - some loose snow blowing over North facing cliffs. ICING: Water ice developing in many areas on crags. COMMENT: Significant fall of snow forecast. Accumulating in Northern Corries gullies and descents. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 29/12/05 It was generally a dry day with gusting South-Easterly winds and some traces of light snow on the summits. The re-frozen old snowpack found on North through to East aspects is stable and well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 30/12/05 A strong South-Easterly wind and heavy snow are expected overnight and into Friday morning. The winds are then veering South-West and easing as the snow turns to patchy rain or sleet by the afternoon. Accumulations of unstable wind-slab will be deposited on top of the old snowpack on North-West to North-East aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow expected down to 300m. ICING: Water ice formed on many paths, light frosting on the highest cliffs. Freezing level rising above the summits during Friday afternoon. COMMENT: The ground underfoot remains hard. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 29/12/05 Dry and cold conditions have continued to affect the area. A trace of snow and small patches of old re-frozen snow exist in sheltered North and East facing corries but mainly in gullies above 950 metres. Ice has formed on many paths rocks and watercourses. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 30/12/05 A band of heavy snow and South-Easterly gales will affect the area overnight and for much of Friday. Windslab will form in sheltered locations such as summit gullies and on slopes with a West through North to North-Easterly aspect mainly above 800 metres. Stability of fresh windslab will be poor where deep accumulations form on steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Heavy snowfall overnight ICING: Verglas on paths and on rocks above 150m. COMMENT: Deeper accumulations of windslab on steeper ground and cornice formations will be unstable. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 29/12/05 There is a light covering of snow on most aspects from valley level with patches of older hard snow and pockets of dry light snow above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard remains Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 30/12/05 New snowfall accompanied by strong SE winds will lead to deep new accumulations in very sheltered locations on W to N aspects from valley level. Where these rapidly forming deposits achieve sufficient depth on steeper terrain avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Likely to have improved by the end of the day. ICING: Watercourses likely to give best climbing options. COMMENT: A difficult day on the hill is expected. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 29/12/05 Thursday was an overcast, dry day with very cold temperatures throughout. There has been no fresh snow although a heavy frost persists above 900 metres. The snowpack remains very sparse with only isolated patches above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 30/12/05 Snow showers overnight with heavy snow on Friday accompanied by strong South-East winds will result in fresh snow cover on West to North facing slopes and gullies above 500 metres. With rising temperatures during Friday afternoon, these new storm cycle accumulations will become more unstable. Where significant accumulations exist, avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will increase to Considerable Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Sparse on Thursday but expected to become more widespread with blizzards on Friday. ICING: Ice developing in watercourses but conditions remain very lean! COMMENT: Friday perhaps a good day for a log fire!. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------