NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 4/2/06 Today has been mild and dry with light winds from the North-West. The snowpack has continued to thaw and consolidate on all aspects and altitudes. The avalanche hazard is Low Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 5/2/06 It will be a dry day with increasing Westerly winds and mild temperatures. The 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 snow on the plateau. ICING: Some lower grade gullies seeing a few ascents, ground still frozen in places. COMMENT: Wave goodbye to the high pressure, it's moving away tomorrow! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 4/2/06 In the area today the conditions were mild with light North- Westerly winds and some drizzle. The remaining snowpack continues to thaw and is generally stable and well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 5/2/06 The settled conditions will continue overnight, during Sunday a Westerly wind is expected to strengthen. The snowpack will continue slowly to thaw and will remain stable and well bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly in gullies and on corrie rims with a North to East aspect above 1000 metres. ICING: Some water ice present in corries. Freezing level at 1200 metres and will remain there during Sunday. COMMENT: Possibly some snow and colder temperatures later next week. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 4/2/06 Settled weather over the last few days has consolidated the snowpack giving generally good stability on all slopes. The greatest accumulations of snow remain in and around the tops of sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North to Easterly aspect mainly above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 5/2/06 Dry conditions will continue with strengthening Westerly winds on Sunday. 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: Most of the snow lies in the highest North and East facing corries and gullies. ICING: Freezing level 1300 metres on Sunday. COMMENT: Dry conditions will continue. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 4/2/06 The patchy snow is continuing to thaw due to the mild temperatures and sunshine we are experiencing today. Icy base layers are appearing as the soft surface snow melts away. The remaining snow is well bonded and stable on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 5/2/06 It will be a mainly sunny day but with stronger winds than we have had recently as the high pressure system finally starts to slip Southwards. The snow will continue slowly to thaw but will remain well bonded and stable on all aspects. Largest areas of snow will be found on the high hills of the main Cairngorm Plateau and in high N to E facing corries. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Largest areas of snow are on the higher hills of the Cairngorm Plateau and in high N to E facing corries. ICING: Thawing rapidly in direct sunlight today, but more slowly in the shadier corries. COMMENT: Another dry day forecast for Sunday. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 4/2/06 It has been cooler and dry with some sunshine for a time. Larger snow patches on North East to South East aspects above 900 metres remain well stabilised. Older snow on steeply inclined grass or heather slopes at lower elevations continues to thaw. These deposits are not widespread but the bed surface of many of them is now quite wet and stability remains marginal. The avalanche hazard remains Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 5/2/06 Winds will be Westerly and strengthen but it will remain dry with a freezing level close to summits. The stability of snow patches above 900 metres will be generally good. Lower altitude snow patches will continue to thaw and those on steeper ground will be marginally stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remains poor. ICING: Freezing at 1200 to 1300m. COMMENT: Pleasant and bright on Saturday but the strengthening wind on Sunday will make high level travel less enjoyable for walkers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------