SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 30/12/05 A period of wind and snow has formed localised unstable deposits in sheltered locations on W to N aspects above 500 metres. Where these deposits have acquired depth on steeper ground they are demonstrating poor stability especially where a snow-ice base layer exists. Many areas have a thin snow cover only. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 31/12/05 There will be a period of instability overnight as the freezing level rises to 1400 metres. By morning the new deposits will be consolidating as thaw conditions prevail. These localised deposits will be found in steeper sheltered locations on W to N aspects above 500 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A thin general cover with deeper drifts in places. ICING: All ice will be subject to thaw conditions. COMMENT: Freezing level rising to above the summits. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 30/12/05 Heavy snow on strong South-East winds cleared to leave a dry afternoon. Deep drifts have accumulated on West through North to Easterly aspects above 900 metres. Easy releases were observed within the new windslab when tested on a North-West aspect at 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 31/12/05 Light snow overnight will die out to leave a dry day with light winds and milder temperatures. The snowpack will slowly bond but instabilities will remain on West through North to Easterly aspects above 900 metres especially on steep ground and gully exits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Occasional deep drifts have accumulated on sheltered slopes above 900 metres. ICING: Ice forming and buttresses are now white. COMMENT: Sheet ice on steep ground such as the Goat Track, Coire an t-Sneachda lying beneath new snow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 30/12/05 New snow overnight and today has brought a more seasonal feel to the glen. Strong South-Easterly winds have formed some deeper accumulations of windslab in the more sheltered summit gulleys and on slopes mainly with a North-West to North- Easterly aspect. Where these deeper accumulations lie on steeper slopes bonding is moderate. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 31/12/05 A milder Southerly airflow will affect the area overnight and through Saturday. Precipitation will mainly be light rain with the possiblity of wet snow on the highest slopes. The snowpack will become moist at all levels. Where deeper accumulations of snow remain in summit gulleys and on steep North-West to North- Easterly slopes mainly above 900 metres bonding will be moderate to poor. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 150 metres on Friday. ICING: Freezing level 1300 metres for period. COMMENT: Snow on ridges and buttresses on Friday, becoming milder. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 30/12/05 South Easterly winds brought light snow down to 100m overnight, then veered to South Westerly by late morning. Over the day light snow, occasionally heavy, settled above 700m. Deposits of windslab have accumulated in sheltered gullies and corrie rims with North through to North East aspects. The snow here is weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 31/12/05 Mild air from the South will bring rain at all levels overnight and on Saturday as the freezing level rises above the summits. Friday's accumulations of snow are expected to thaw and any windslab will stabilise. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 700m thawing, Re- frozen snow on upper N and E facing slopes and gullies remains. ICING: Water ice on paths above 600m. Some rime ice on cliffs above 1000m. COMMENT: Freezing level rising to 1300m. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 30/12/05 There was a general cover of fresh snow on Friday with accumulations varying from 8cm at valley level to 15cm on the plateau with deeper drifts places. South East then South West winds re-deposited fresh snow as windslab at the top of steep North West through to East-facing slopes and gullies above 950 metres. Easy shears were noted at many different depths within this new slab. Stability is particularly poor where the slab overlies old snow on coire rims and gully tops. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 31/12/05 Snow will turn to rain as the freezing level rises above summits overnight leaving Saturday relatively dry and mild. The poorly bonded windslab that lies on North West to East facing aspects above 950 metres will be further weakened with the onset of overnight rain, when avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable cover of fresh snow at all levels on Friday. Likely to recede as it gets milder. ICING: Remaining lean. COMMENT: Poorest stability likely to be overnight Fri. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------