NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 20/1/06 Frequent snow showers have fallen on strong South-Westerly winds. Areas of weakly bonded windslab have formed above 1000 metres on steep North through East to South-East aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 21/1/06 Overnight snow showers will die out during the day on decreasing North-West backing Westerly winds. Accumulations of weakly bonded windslab will continue to form and avalanches are likely mainly on North-West through North to South-East aspects above 900 metres. Crag aprons gully exits and corrie rims will be especially affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin snow line down to 650 metres, deeper drifts at higher elevations. ICING: Re-frozen snow has improved climbing conditions, some lower grade gullies complete. COMMENT: Cornices beginning to build. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 20/1/06 Snow showers and strong Westerly winds have deposited fresh areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Accumulations are mainly on sheltered slopes and gullies with a North through to South-East aspect above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 21/1/06 Light snow showers and North-West to West winds will continue overnight and during Saturday. Areas of unstable windslab will be present on many sheltered slopes and gullies with a North through to South-East aspect above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 600m. ICING: Freezing level remaining below the summits. COMMENT: Winds expected to ease overnight. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 20/1/06 New snow is lying above 850 metres. Strong Westerly winds are forming accumulations of windslab on slopes above 1000 metres mainly with a North through to South-Easterly aspect. Localised instabilities exist where deeper windslab has formed on the steepest slopes or where old snow-ice underlies. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 21/1/06 Snow showers and strong Westerly winds overnight will give way to a calm and dry day. By morning areas of deeper windslab will exist in sheltered summit gullies and on North through to South-Easterly scarp slopes mainly above 1000 metres. Where these localised accumulations exist on steeper ground or where older snow-ice underlies bonding will be poor. In many other areas stability will be good with only a light general cover of recent snow. Avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 850 metres. ICING: Freezing level rising to 1000 metres on Saturday. COMMENT: A light cover of new snow lying on many of the higher ridges and buttresses on Friday. Weather outlook favourable for Saturday calm, dry but a bit milder. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 20/1/06 It was a cool and windy day with light snow showers. Old patchy snow has re-frozen and there is a dusting of new snow. Deeper deposits are to be found in sheltered locations on N to E aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 21/1/06 There will be light snow showers overnight that will form limited pockets of new snow in sheltered locations on E to S aspects. Where depth is achieved over older snow-ice moderately bonded layers will exist. Elsewhere the old re-frozen snow will be firm and well bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy old refrozen snow above 900 metres with a limited dusting of new snow. ICING: Turf is refrozen and ice starting to reform. COMMENT: Most of the easier gullies on Lochnagar still have re-frozen snow. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 20/1/06 Colder temperatures accompanied by snow showers, prolonged at times on Friday have resulted in a light covering of fresh snow down to 500 metres. The new deposits are moderately well bonded with greatest drifted accumulations in the steepest sheltered areas of North through to South-East facing slopes and gully rims. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 21/1/06 It will remain cooler overnight and during Saturday. Strong North-West then easing Westerly winds will bring further snow showers to the area. Additional windslab will build on steep, sheltered North-East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be remain Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General light covering of new snow down to 500m. ICING: No significant build up. COMMENT: Looking more wintry but any sport for ski tourers best found in travelling than in arriving! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------