NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 12/1/06 Snow overnight on very strong South-West winds has been gradually replaced by heavy rain during the day as temperatures rose. New accumulations lie mainly on Northerly to Easterly aspects above 950 metres. When tested on a Northerly aspect at 980 metres weakly bonded layers were observed within the new windslab and on the old melt-freeze crust. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 13/1/06 The mild Southerly airstream will continue with very strong winds and rain at all levels. Instabilities will remain within the thawing snowpack especially on steep North through East to South-East facing slopes above 1000 metres. Unstable cornices will also affect these aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow lies mainly above 1000 metres. ICING: Thawing in the Southerly breeze (105mph). COMMENT: Wet and windy again tomorrow. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 12/1/06 A thaw at all levels has created a moist snowpack at all levels. Localised areas of wet unstable snow are present at the tops of steep North-East, East and South-East aspects above 1100m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 13/1/06 Rain at all levels will continue overnight and during Friday. The snowpack will thaw and gradually stabilise at all levels. Localised instabilities will still be present, mainly on steep aspects above 1100m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels. ICING: Freezing level remaining above the summits. COMMENT: Freezing level expected to lower later on Friday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 12/1/06 The snowpack is becoming soft and moist at all levels due to rising temperatures and heavy rain. Wet snow instabilities are forming in summit gullies and on steep North to East facing slopes mainly above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 13/1/06 Mild conditions with heavy rain at all levels for much of the time will affect the area giving a period of higher instability overnight on the steepest slopes. Wet snow instabilities will remain in sheltered summit gullies and on the steepest North to East facing slopes above 1000 metres through the day. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best snow cover remains in the highest North and East facing corries. ICING: Freezing level above the tops for most of the period. COMMENT: Windy SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 12/1/06 New snowfall has been limited by the early arrival of thaw conditions at all levels. Moderate rain and mild temperatures have encouraged the consolidation of the recent deposits that exist on N through E to SE aspects above 900 metres. In deeper deposits on the higher summits some moderately bonded layers still exist. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 13/1/06 Wet and windy conditions will prevail with the freezing level well above the summits. There will be a significant reduction of snow cover at all levels. Well bonded wet snow will be found in sheltered locations on N through E to SE aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Becoming patchy with wet snow above 900 metres. ICING: Subject to severe thaw conditions on Friday. COMMENT: Freezing level expected to drop to nearer 900 metres on Friday evening. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 12/1/06 Thursday was wet and mild at all levels. The storm snow that accumulated on steep North through to South-East aspects above 800 metres is now well moistened and has been depleted in the thaw conditions. Some wet snow instabilities were noted in near-surface layers, particularly where newer snow overlies hard snow-ice. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 13/1/06 It will be wet and mild again on Friday. The snowpack will suffer further depletion at all levels and be reasonably well stabilised in many locations. Wet snow instability will persist where more extensive and deeper deposits of recent storm snow lie in very steep North through to South -East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels. Thin wet cover down to 750m but subject to sustained thaw. ICING: Freezing level at around 1500m overnight and on Friday. COMMENT: Dreich. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------