NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 29/1/06 It has been a sunny day with light winds. An inversion over the Highlands led to summit temperatures reaching as high as plus 9 degrees. There is little change within the snowpack which remains well bonded and stable on all aspects with a thin layer of soft surface snow. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 30/1/06 High pressure will continue with light South-Westerly winds and freezing levels will be well above the summits during the day. The thin covering of soft snow will continue to consolidate on sun- exposed slopes. The old snowpack which lies in patches on all aspects above 900 metres will remain well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patches of skiable softer snow on some sun-exposed slopes above 1100 metres. ICING: Buttresses white with snow, limited but good snow-ice in lower grade gullies. COMMENT: An impressive cloud inversion over the Highlands today. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 29/1/06 Today the weather has been calm and dry with a light South- Westerly wind. The current snowpack remains generally stable and well bonded and continues to consolidate. Main snow accumulations are on steep slopes with a North, North-East and East aspect above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 30/1/06 The settled conditions will continue overnight and during Monday. A light South-Westerly wind will be variable in direction at times and the summit temperature may be above freezing. The snowpack will continue to consolidate and stability will remain generally good. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations on North to East aspects above 1000m. ICING: Light rime remains on high cliffs with a North aspect. Turf is well frozen. Gullies are in reasonable condition. COMMENT: Great day to be on the hill. Sunshine above the temperature inversion at 850m. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 29/1/06 A light dusting of recent snow is lying above 850 metres. Settled weather over the last few days has consolidated the snowpack. Stability is generally good on all slopes. The greatest accumulations of snow are in and around the tops of sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North to Easterly aspect above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 30/1/06 High pressure should continue to bring settled and dry conditions with moderate winds mainly from the South-West. Mild temperatures will soften the snowpack in some areas but this should not affect the overall stability of the snowpack, which will remain good on most slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light dusting of recent snow above 850 metres. Most of the older snow lies in the highest North and East facing corries. ICING: Thin ice and rime on upper rocks but very mild temperature outlook for Monday. COMMENT: Settled mainly dry conditions. Hazard of falling rocks and ice with very mild temperatures. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 29/1/06 There is a dusting of snow from around 600 metres with occasional pockets of slightly deeper snow on S to W aspects. The patchy old snow is still frozen and well bonded. Largest areas are to be found in sheltered locations on N through E to SE aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 30/1/06 With the freezing level forecast to rise to 2200 metres the recent dusting of snow will thaw and there will be some softening of the old snow which will remain well bonded. Largest areas of old snow will be found in sheltered locations on N through E to SE aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy with largest areas around corrie rims above 950 metres. ICING: Subject to thaw on Monday. COMMENT: 5 degrees centigrade forecast for midday at 1200 metres. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 29/1/06 It has been a dry mostly clear day with no new precipitation. The snowpack remains limited to above 900 metres, where re-frozen snow patches exist on steep North-East to South-East aspects. Stability is good in all locations. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 30/1/06 An area of high pressure with dry conditions will continue to affect the area. In milder conditions the existing deposits above 900 metres on North-East to South-East aspects will moisten, although overall stability is not expected to deteriorate to any large extent. In thaw conditions cornice areas remain best avoided. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Isolated patches only below 900 metres, more widespread in summit areas. ICING: Lean, gully lines all broken in lower sections. COMMENT: Light winds and fair skies. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------