LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 31/1/06 Cold and dry conditions are continuing to affect the area. The snowpack remains stable and well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 1/2/06 The cold and dry conditions will continue overnight and during Wednesday. Little change is expected to the existing snowpack. Stability will remain good. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations are on corrie rims, crag aprons and in gullies with a North and East aspect above 1000m. ICING: Snow and turf should remain frozen despite higher summit temperatures. COMMENT: Frozen water courses affecting some footpaths. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 31/1/06 It has been cold overnight in the valley and warm again in summit areas today. The snowpack, which is limited to above 900 metres, has softened in surface layers but has remained well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 1/2/06 It will continue settled and dry with ligth South Westerly winds, this persisting area of high pressure will maintain the current snowpack conditions. Surface layers of refrozen snow on steep North East to South East gullies and around coire rims will soften during the day but the snowpack is expected to remain stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Isolated patches only below 900 metres, more widespread in summit areas. ICING: Lean, ice only at higest elevations, all graded routes mostly broken although some very limited easier lines still complete to coire rim from lower down. COMMENT: Area of high pressure giving great conditions for winter walking on the tops ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 31/1/06 Today has been another sunny clear day on the tops with warm temperatures and a cooling Easterly breeze. The snowpack continues to stabilise through the process of refreezing as a consequence of the warm day time temperatures and the subzero night time temperatures. The snowpack above 900 metres is well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 1/2/06 Dry and light South-Westerly winds are expected. In the early hours of the morning the freezing level will be at sea level rising to above the summits during the day. The snowpack that exists largely above 900m will remain stable and well bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin light snow cover above 600m with areas of iron hard snow above 900m and on S-SW aspects. ICING: water ice developing in many areas. COMMENT: Great for walking on the tops, views unmissable ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 31/1/06 It was another calm and clear day with temperatures remaining very low in the valleys and warmer on the summits. Little has changed in the snowpack and it is stable at all levels. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 1/2/06 The weather will continue to be settled with light winds. The snow will soften but it will remain well bonded at all levels. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Greatest snow amounts are around corrie rims above 950 metres. Garbh Corrie at Braeriach is still holding cover. ICING: Ice is forming in watercourses particularly at lower altitudes. COMMENT: Buttresses remain black, easier gully lines are holding snow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------