LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 8/2/06 Overnight snow showers have formed areas of unconsolidated soft snow on many aspects above 800m. Instabilities have formed, mainly on steep East and South aspects above 1000m, notably where there is older snow deposits underneath. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 9/2/06 Further snow showers and NW winds are expected overnight and during Thursday. Areas of unstable snow will continue to form with greatest accumulations on steep East and South aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 600m. ICING: Remaining cold at all levels. COMMENT: Snow showers dying out later on Thursday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 8/2/06 Snow showers during Tuesday night and today accompanied by NorthWesterly winds has deposited accumulations of new snow on most slope aspects. Deeper accumulations exist on North through to Southerly aspects and in sheltered gullies above 800 metres. Instabilities exist where windslab has formed on steep slopes with an N through to S aspect and in areas where older snow-ice underlies the new snow. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) in these areas. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 9/2/06 Colder weather will continue to bring snow showers to the area with strong NW winds. These showers could be light and infrequent. On North-East to Southerly aspects accumulations of windslab will continue to form in sheltered locations but more especially in sheltered gullies above 800 metres. Instabilities will exist where deep windslab forms on steep slopes and in areas where older snow-ice underlies. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 700m. ICING: Getting colder. Freezing at most levels. COMMENT: Climbing conditions improving with new snow, buttresses starting to shape up. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 8/2/06 Moderate North-North-West winds with snowfall has affected the mountains for most of the day. Continual drifting of the snow has taken place which has accumulated into sheltered areas and lee slopes on Easterly to Southerly aspects mainly above 900 metres. Here unstable windslab deposits are present. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 9/2/06 North-Westerly winds with some snow showers and cold temperatures will continue for most of the day. Accumulations of weakly bonded windslab snow will continue to form mainly in sheltered areas above 850 metres on North-East through East to Southerly aspects. Cross loaded localised windslab deposits will form in Northerly facing corries, especially on gully flanks and exits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin snow cover above 850m. Deep accumulations an lee aspects on higher ground. ICING: New accumulations on all aspects COMMENT: A mixed welcome to blizzards and whiteouts! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 8/2/06 Snow showers on moderate North West winds have combined to create accumulations of deep layered windslab on steep East to South aspects above 900 metres. The most significant accumulations of new slab lie at the very top of corrie backwalls and gully heads and some of these locations are overhung by new cornices. Snow temperatures are relatively high and bonding good in the mid-pack but easy to moderate shears were noted in near-surface layers. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) and continues to decline. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 9/2/06 Winds will remain North Westerly and it will be cold with snow showers overnight and during Thursday. Poorly stabilised, multi-layered windslab will continue to form on steep East to South and some North East aspects above 900 metres, where avalanches are likely. Newly formed soft cornices will continue to develop over these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow down to 300m on Wednesday with somewhat better cover above 600m. ICING: Remains poor but staying wintry for a day or so. COMMENT: Freezing at all levels overnight and 100m on Thursday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 8/2/06 Snow showers and drifting have formed windslab in very sheltered locations on E through S to SW aspects. Most areas have only a light covering of new snow but localised deeper snow exists above 950 metres. Today's test site held 75cm of unstable windslab that failed easily under a low additional load. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 9/2/06 Infrequent snow showers will add a little depth to the windslab that exists in very sheltered locations on E through S to SW aspects above 950 metres. Consolidation will be slow in the cold temperatures and the snow will remain moderately to weakly bonded. Corrie rims and gully exits are likely to provide the greatest hazard. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Windblown thin cover above 700 metres. Localised drifts on E through S to SW aspects. ICING: Refreezing today and staying cold on Thursday. COMMENT: Windslab is localised but runouts are very rocky at present. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------