NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 9/1/06 Very strong South-Westerly winds with light snow have led to heavy drifting. Firm windslab has accumulated on sheltered North-West to North-Easterly aspects above 800 metres. When tested on a Northerly aspect at 850 metres weakly bonded layers existed within the new windslab. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/1/06 Strong South-Westerly winds will continue with snow showers turning to heavy rain at all levels by early morning. Avalanches are likely due to unstable windslab building overnight followed by a rapid thaw. The areas affected will be mainly on North to Easterly aspects above 900 metres, especially the tops of gullies, crag aprons and steep slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Drifts building on sheltered locations above 800 metres. ICING: Still thin but turf well frozen. COMMENT: A stormy day in the Cairngorms with gusts up to 110 mph today. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 9/1/06 It was dry with strong South-Westerly winds in the morning, then some snow beginning to fall in the afternoon. These strong winds have caused drifting and windslab on North to East aspects and in sheltered areas above 1000m: due to this some instabilities were found. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/1/06 Further strong South-Westerly winds and snow showers overnight and into Tuesday morning, will then turn to rain even on the summits. Accumulations of windslab will continue to build overnight on North to East aspects above 1000m, and this will become saturated as the day progresses. Instabilities will be present between the old re-frozen snowpack and the new windslab. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Above 700m with main accumulations above 900m on North to East aspects. ICING: Water ice still present. Rime on the cliffs above 1100m. COMMENT: Walking is difficult due to high winds. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 9/1/06 Stormy conditions today with new snow on the higher slopes are forming accumulations of windslab in sheltered areas. Accumulations are increasing through the course of the day forming instabilities on steeper North-West to North-East slopes and gullies above 900 metres where old snow underlies. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/1/06 A very strong South-Westerly airstream will affect the area. Snow will turn to heavy rain at all levels by morning when a period of higher instability will occur. Instabilities will exist in summit gullies and on steep North to Easterly slopes mainly above 850 metres particularly during the initial transition to milder conditions. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800 metres on Monday but outlook for heavy rain at all levels on Tuesday. ICING: Freezing level becoming 1600 metres. COMMENT: Strong winds on tops. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 9/1/06 At present no new snow has arrived in the area but the strong winds are beginning to re-distribute old deposits onto NW to NE aspects. The recent cold temperatures have formed faceted crystals creating a weak layer within the snowpack that is failing easily during stability tests. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/1/06 After some overnight snow the freezing level will settle above the summits with snow turning to rain at all levels. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab will be found in sheltered locations on NW through NE to E aspects above 800 metres. The stability of this recently developed windslab will become increasingly poor as the freezing level rises and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: There is currently full cover above 900 metres but some reduction is expected. ICING: Subject to thaw conditions. COMMENT: Likely to be a wet and windy day. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 9/1/06 Strengthening Southerly winds and snow showers on Monday combined to produce difficult mountain conditions. Gale force winds over summits prevented any significant amounts of new snow from settling and the snowpack remains sparse, re-frozen and stable. Greatest deposits of snow are confined to North through to South-East facing gully tops and corrie rims above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/1/06 The poor weather conditions will persist overnight and through Tuesday with predominantly South-West gale force winds and snow. With winds easing at times some new accumulations may develop on North to East facing gully tops and corrie rims above 900 metres. With rising temperatures on Tuesday and the arrival of rain the stability of there deposits will be poor. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Poor. Likely to become poorer! ICING: Some reasonable build up developing on sections of the Post Face-shame it is all likely to fall down in the coming days. COMMENT: Car park empty today. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------