NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 10/1/06 There have been strong South-Westerly winds with snow which turned to rain at mid-day. Yesterday's windslab has begun to consolidate due to fluctuating temperatures overnight. Pockets of new windslab have formed above 1100 metres and lie mainly on sheltered North-West through to Easterly aspects. When tested on a Northerly aspect at 1110 metres the new slab sheared easily from the recent melt-freeze crust beneath. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 11/1/06 Strong South-Westerly winds will continue with light snow falling above 700 metres. New accumulations of windslab will be localised and lie mainly at the tops of gullies and corrie rims on North to Easterly aspects. The old snowpack will continue to stabilise. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Largest areas of snow lie above 1000 metres. ICING: Some snow left on buttresses but mainly black. COMMENT: Mild today, cooler again tomorrow. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 10/1/06 During last night and early morning, light snow was deposited above 1000m, and by mid-morning the snow was falling as light rain. South Westerly winds have caused drifting and built accumulations of firm windslab in sheltered exit gullies and on corrie rims with North to East aspects. Instabilities were found between the windslab and the old re-frozen snowpack and within the windslab itself. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 11/1/06 Wintry showers are expected overnight above 600m with some wet snow down to lower levels. Gusty South Westerly winds should ease slightly as Wednesday progresses to leave a dry day. Any further accumulations of snow overnight will add to the instability on North to East facing slopes and sheltered gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover risen to 900m, main accumulations above 950m on N to E aspects. ICING: Any ice present beginning to melt. COMMENT: Wet day on the hill. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 10/1/06 Mild and wet conditions today are reducing the snow cover. Wet snow instabilities exist around the tops of steeper North to East slopes and summit gullies mainly above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 11/1/06 Strong South-Westerly winds will continue to affect the area. Rain initially will turn to light snow showers overnight. This will form areas of mainly shallow windslab on sheltered slopes. Instabilities will exist where deeper accumulations form in summit gullies and on steep North to Easterly slopes mainly above 900 metres where old snow underlies. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light wintry showers. ICING: Remaining ice is on highest slopes, getting a bit colder overnight. COMMENT: Strong winds on tops. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 10/1/06 The freezing level has gradually risen to above all summits by early afternoon. At 900 metres the snowpack is quickly becoming isothermal and stable. Above 1000 metres some deeper deposits contain colder drier snow that is moderately bonded. This situation is mainly to be found on NW through NE to E aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 11/1/06 After a mild evening the freezing level will lower to 900 metres with a trace of fresh snow falling above 600 metres. The snowpack will be moist but stable on all aspects with deeper accumulations being found on NW through NE to E aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy wet snow above 900 metres. ICING: Thawing at all levels today. COMMENT: Climbing likely to be poor until a return to cooler conditions. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 10/1/06 Strong winds and patchy rain made Tuesday a poor hill day with cloud levels descending from above summits to 500 metres. There was no significant new snow and the snowpack has become moist at all elevations. Below 900 metres all remaining isolated snow patches are slowly disappearing. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 11/1/06 There will be some wintry showers overnight on strong mostly South-Westerly winds which will ease during Wednesday. This is unlikely to result in any significant new deposits of snow. The snowpack will remain moist and generally stable during the slow thaw conditions. An additional hazard of falling ice exists below steep Post Face routes, with any overhanging cornices best avoided. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very poor. ICING: Thaw conditions prevail. COMMENT: No improvement just yet. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------