GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 1/1/06 Cooler conditions have left the snowpack moist but generally well bonded at most levels. Above 950m some accumulations of windslab exist in sheltered summit gullies and on slopes with a Northwest to North-Easterly aspect. Where these deeper accumulations lie on steep slopes the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 2/1/06 Cold conditions though Sunday night will consolidate the snowpack. A mainly dry morning but heavy rain forecast for Monday afternoon with strong SW winds. Freezing level rising to around 1200m the snowpack will become moist at most levels. Where deeper accumulations of snow exist in summit gullies and on steep Northwest to North-Easterly slopes above 900 metres bonding will be poor. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 450m. ICING: Freezing level 1200 metres. COMMENT: Snow on ridges and buttresses offer best climbing. *** HAPPY NEW YEAR *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 1/1/06 Temperatures have remained below freezing on the high summits today. Layered snow can be found in some of the deeper accumulations that exist in sheltered locations on mainly W to N aspects above 900 metres but this layering is progressive and the snow demonstrates good stability. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 2/1/06 It will be a dry day with some snow forecast to arrive by evening time but this will not affect the situation during tomorrow. The thin general cover will remain with deeper snow being found in sheltered locations on W to N aspects. All deposits will be well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A thin general cover with some deeper drifts in places. ICING: 600 metre freezing level overnight (Sunday). COMMENT: Temperatures set to rise later on Monday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 1/1/06 Areas of soft unstable snow are present on steep slopes and gullies above 1050m. Greatest accumulations are on North and North East aspects. Below 1050m, the snowpack is moist and generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 2/1/06 Areas of soft unstable snow will be present on steep slopes and gullies above 1050m with a North and North-East aspect. During Monday afternoon, snow and strong SW winds are expected. This will produce further areas of unstable snow on East aspects above 1000m later in the period. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow surface below 1100m. ICING: Some ice forming on rocks at higher elevations. COMMENT: Happy New Year. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 1/1/06 Moderate South-West winds with precipitation falling as snow to 750 metres in showers has continued for most of the day. The limited accumulations in gully exits and corrie rims on Westerly through North to Easterly aspects above 1000 metres are beginning to stabilise. Here though some weaknesses still remain on a hard icy layer at depth. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 2/1/06 Overnight the freezing level will drop to 600 metres rising to 1000 metres during the day.The dry North -Westerly wind will continue, becoming South-Westerly with snow during the day. Snow will turn to rain as the freezing level rises above the summits. The current snowpack will continue to stabilise but new snow accumulations will occur above 750 metres on North-West through North to Easterly aspects, especially on steep gully exits and corrie rims. Here the snow will be unstable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A better snow cover with the moist snowfall on hills above 750m ICING: Buttresses getting whiter with wet snow. COMMENT: Looks more like winter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 1/1/06 A melt/freeze cycle overnight above 500m and slow thaw conditions during Sunday have resulted in a much consolidated and generally stable snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 2/1/06 Cooler temperatures with freezing levels remaining below summits overnight before a period of moderate snow and rising temperatures accompanied by rain later on Monday. This will result in unstable conditions for a period as any new snow goes through a rapid transition period with the onset of rain later in the day. Where recent accumulations have developed in summit gullies and sheltered steep North-West to North Easterly slopes above 750m wet snow instabilities will be present. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin general cover of thawing snow above 500m. ICING: No great improvement in what are very lean conditions. COMMENT: Happy New Year! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------