NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/1/06 Strong South-Westerly winds with rain showers at summit levels have affected the area. The snowpack has become saturated and some wet snow avalanche debris and cornice collapse have been observed on North-Westerly aspects at 1100 metres. The snowpack remains unstable especially in gully exits and on corrie rims on North-West to North-Easterly aspects above 1000 metres.The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/1/06 Strong South-Westerly winds will bring rain overnight which will turn to snow in the early hours and continue with light snow showers during the day. The freezing level will fall to 450 metres. The colder temperatures will re-freeze the remaining snowpack which will become generally well bonded and stable. Some localised new snow will accumulate in lee areas in gully exits and corrie rims on Northerly through East to South-Easterly aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Diminished and patchy. ICING: Snow/ice ribbons remain in gullies. COMMENT: Cold temps should rescue some snow. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/1/06 Warm temperatures with rain at all levels has consolidated the existing areas of unstable snow. Localised instabilities are still present on steep slope inclinations above 1100m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/1/06 Colder temperatures overnight and during Friday will stabilise the existing wet snowpack. Snow showers and predominately Westerly winds will form fresh areas of unstable snow. Greatest accumulations will be on North-East and East aspects above 1000m.The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels. ICING: Freezing level lowering to around 800m on Friday. COMMENT: Looks like a dry day on Friday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/1/06 Mild and wet conditions affecting the area have reduced the snow cover. Greatest accumulations of snow are now in the highest North and East facing corries. The remaining snowpack is soft and wet and is stable on all but the very steepest slopes where isolated wet snow surface instabilities remain. The avalanche hazard Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/1/06 Cooler conditions will return overnight with frequent blustery snow showers above 700 metres on Friday. Strong South- Westerly winds will veer West-North-West, forming windslab in areas such as summit gullies and on slopes with a North through to South-Easterly aspect. These accumulations are not expected to be deep or extensive but where they form on steeper slopes of old snow-ice bonding will be poor. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly in high North and East facing corries. ICING: Freezing level lowering to 700 metres on Friday. COMMENT: Snow showers not expected to be heavy. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/1/06 It has been very mild with significant snow loss occurring. Deeper deposits are to be found in sheltered locations on N to E aspects above 1000 metres. The remaining patchy snow is wet but stable on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/1/06 The air temperature will gradually lower overnight with the potential for some flurries of snow on the highest summits. It will be mainly dry during the day with the freezing level eventually lowering to 750 metres. The remaining patchy snow will be well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Has become patchy at all levels. Deeper deposits are on N to E aspects. ICING: Subject to severe thaw conditions at present. COMMENT: Summit temperatures were well above the January average today. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/1/06 24 hours of unrelenting rain and mild temperatures have stripped back the most recent snowfall to thin ribbons high on North to East-facing corrie headwalls and gully tops above 950 metres. What remains of this newer snow overlies much older hard snow-ice and is now thoroughly wet and marginally stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/1/06 Progressively colder conditions are expected overnight and during Friday. Strengthening South-West then West winds will feed in some snow showers which will be more frequent during the day. Colder temperatures will re-freeze older snow patches and accumulations of humid windslab will begin to build on steep, sheltered North to East aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) as this new slab gains depth and overlies old snow-ice. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Poor. We're desperately in need of a dump of snow. ICING: Very mild with water, water everwhere. COMMENT: Footpaths in full spate on Thursday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------