NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/1/06 Snow showers on strong Westerly winds have led to heavy drifting. Deep accumulations of soft windslab have formed on sheltered North through to South-East aspects above 1000 metres. On a South-East aspect at 1100 metres weakly bonded layers were observed during tests within the new slab and on the recent melt-freeze crust beneath. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/1/06 Persistent snow will fall during the morning on very strong South-Westerly winds, followed by rain in the afternoon. Unstable windslab will continue to build and avalanches are likely mainly on Northerly through East to South-East aspects above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A thin covering above 650 metres, with drifts forming above 1000 metres. ICING: Areas of sheet ice underfoot in places, cornices building on N to E aspects. COMMENT: Wild unsettled conditions continuing. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/1/06 An overnight thaw followed by colder temperatures during Wednesday has stabilised the existing snowpack. Snow showers and strong Westerly winds have started to form fresh areas of unstable snow. Greatest accumulations are at the tops of North-East, East and South-East facing slopes and gullies above 1050m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/1/06 Snow overnight will be replaced by rain at all levels during Thursday afternoon. Areas of unstable snow will be present with greatest accumulations being at the tops of North-East, East and South-East facing slopes and gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying above 600m. ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits during Thursday morning. COMMENT: Winds easing overnight and increasing again during Thursday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/1/06 A light general cover of new snow is lying above 800 metres. South-Westerly winds are forming windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest depths are around the tops of summit gullies and North to East facing corrie rims. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/1/06 Persistent new snow in the morning will turn to heavy rain later in the day as temperatures rise. Strong South-Westerly winds will initially form unstable windslab in sheltered summit gullies and on slopes with a North to Easterly aspect mainly above 850 metres. These accumulations will become saturated as rain affects the area giving wet snow instabilities on steeper slopes, particularly where older snow-ice underlies. Avalanches are likely in these areas. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover of new snow above 800 metres. ICING: Freezing level 700 metres overnight rising above the tops on Thursday. COMMENT: Becoming windy on Thursday. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/1/06 Overnight snow showers on strong winds have formed isolated new accumulations above 900 metres. In steeper sheltered locations on NE to SE aspects these dry light deposits have acquired depth and are moderately to weakly bonded. Gully exits and the tops of scarp slopes are the most affected areas. Elsewhere there is a thin covering of new snow and crusty old snow. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/1/06 It will be another changeable day that will start with new snowfall turning to rain as the freezing level rises to above the summits in the afternoon. Snow showers and drifting will lead to unstable accumulations forming in sheltered locations on N through E to SE aspects. Stability will be poor above 900 metres where accumulations form over existing unstable snow. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow from 900 metres. ICING: Mostly thawed overnight. COMMENT: Thaw conditions forecast for the afternoon. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/1/06 Fresh snow overnight and during Wednesday with strong South- Westerly winds has resulted in a general cover of fresh snow down to 700 metres. Deeper accumulations have developed in sheltered locations on steep North through to South-East facing slopes and gullies. Easy shears of these deposits were noted when tested on a South-Easterly aspect at 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/1/06 Further patchy snow overnight down to 500 metres will become more persistent during Thursday. Additional windslab will develop on steep North through to South-East facing slopes and gullies. New snow instabilities are expected in these locations, where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover to 700m. ICING: Crags plastered with fresh snow. Freezing levels staying around summits. COMMENT: Looking more wintry. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------