NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/2/06 There has been a steady rise in temperatures during the day with light Westerly winds and rain at all levels from around midday. The recent windslab is thawing and exists on North through East to South-East aspects above 1000 metres. On a North aspect at 1150 metres a weak graupel layer was noted in sub-surface layers lying on the old snow-ice. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/2/06 There will be light winds from the South-West and after a dry start it will rain at all levels by late morning. In the mild conditions the snowpack will continue to consolidate with some instabilities remaining where the deeper snow exists on steep North through East to South-East aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Plateau white with lots of rocks peeping out, some skiable areas. ICING: Thawing but some good ice still around, buttresses rapidly losing snow. COMMENT: Crampon balling conditions! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/2/06 The snowpack has become increasingly saturated as the day has progressed with South Westerly winds and rain at all levels. Instabilities are present on slopes with a North through East to South-East aspect above 1000 metres, mainly on corrie rims, crag aprons and in sheltered gullies. Avalanche debris noted on an East aspect at 1150 metres, caused by collapsed cornices. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/2/06 Mostly dry conditions overnight then moderate South Westerly winds and rain are expected during Monday. The snowpack will slowly consolidate but instabilities will remain on steep slopes with a North through East to South-East aspect above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices mainly on North-East to South-East aspects will be unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Above 700 metres. ICING: Freezing level above the summits. COMMENT: Winter conditions might improve mid-week. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/2/06 Mild conditions with rain at most levels except for a trace of snow over the highest summits have affected the area. The snowpack has become wet and unstable. The greatest deposits of unstable snow are above 800 metres on slopes with a NW to NE aspect. The snowpack is weakly bonded on many steep slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/2/06 Mild conditions and rain with freezing levels above the summits will continue. The snowpack will remain wet at all levels leaving it unstable and weakly bonded on many slopes but especially those with a Northerly aspect. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 750m. ICING: Freezing level 1500 metres. COMMENT: Buttresses and ridges the safer option but care needed on approaches and descents. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/2/06 Temperatures are slowly rising which is starting to consolidate recent deposits. These deposits are to be found on some N to NE aspects and also SE to SW aspects above 950 metres. Most of these areas are avoidable but where these deposits have depth and are on steeper slopes they remain moderately bonded. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/2/06 Thaw conditions will prevail at all levels with some rain during the day. Deeper deposits will be soft but generally well bonded. These deposits will be found on N to NE aspects and on SE to SW aspects above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Likely to become patchy again. ICING: Still some ice around with turf frozen but.... COMMENT: Thaw conditions at all levels. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/2/06 It has been mild with occasional light rain and low cloud throughout the day. The thaw conditions have resulted in a depletion and moistening of the snowpack. Most accumulations remain in corrie back walls and rims and have become for the most part consolidated. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/2/06 It will remain mild and dry overnight with further rainfall during the day. Summit temperatures are again expected to be warm. Cornices which remain mostly on East to South-East aspects will still be best avoided in these on-going thaw conditions. The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Much depleted general cover below 800 metres. Reasonable accumulations still in plateau areas. ICING: Nothing of much use. COMMENT: Thaw continues. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------