NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 14/2/06 Rain overnight turned to light snow showers above 1000 metres during the morning on moderate Southerly winds. The new snow accumulations are small and have not affected snowpack stability, which is well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 15/2/06 Significant snow will fall overnight on strong Southerly winds followed by snow showers during the day as the wind veers to South-Westerly. Unstable windslab will accumulate above 800 metres on Northerly to Easterly aspects. Gully heads and corrie rims will be especially affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A thin covering of new snow lies above 1000m. ICING: Freezing level below summits. COMMENT: Pack your goggles, winter returns. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 14/2/06 Moderate South Westerly winds and occasional light showers, some snow, have affected the area today. Isolated instabilities are present in the snowpack on steep slopes with a North to East aspect above 1000 metres and areas of unstable windslab have accumulated in sheltered gullies and on scarp slopes with a North-East to East aspect above 1100 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 15/2/06 Fresh snow is expected with strong Southerly winds overnight veering West-South-Westerly by Wednesday. Areas of unstable windslab will continue to accumulate on steep slopes with a North to East aspect above 1000 metres and heavy drifting will occur in sheltered areas. Where the fresh windslab is deposited on the present snowpack, avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy above 900m, mainly on corrie rims, crag aprons and in gullies with N to E aspects above 1000m. ICING: Freezing level around 1000m. COMMENT: Whiteout conditions expected on the summits tomorrow. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 14/2/06 Mild damp conditions with light snow above 950 metres have affected the area. The snowpack is wet but generally stable. However some wet snow instabilities do exist on steep slopes and in gullies with a North-West through to North-East aspect above 900 metres. In these locations the snowpack is moderately bonded on steep slopes. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 15/2/06 Through Tuesday night and Wednesday there will be snow showers above 900 metres accompanied by strong South becoming West-South-West winds. Shallow windslab will form in sheltered locations on North to East aspects above 900 metres. The general snowpack will consolidate slightly but will remain generally wet at most levels. Some areas of weakly bonded snow will still exist on steep slopes especially those with a North-West through to East aspect where windslab has formed. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 850m. ICING: Freezing level 1200 metres becoming 1000 metres. COMMENT: Slightly colder. Strong gusting S to WSW winds. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 14/2/06 Mild and wet conditions have reduced the remaining snow to patchy cover but it is snowing from around 900 metres. New snow is light and has not had any effect on the avalanche hazard which is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 15/2/06 Snow showers accompanied by strong winds will lead to new accumulations developing in very sheltered locations on N to E aspects above 900 metres. Areas of greatest hazard will be found on scarp slopes and gully exits where accumulations acquire depth and have developed over older snow. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover is patchy with higher N to E corries holding most. ICING: Likely to keep thawing for a while yet. COMMENT: The freezing levels are slowly dropping, likely to settle around 1000 metres during the day. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 14/2/06 It has been mild and wet. A light drizzle has persisted for most of the day before a lowering of temperature and low cloud brought a little sleet. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 15/2/06 There will be heavy snow overnight with strong Southerly winds which will remain strong and become West-South-West with snow showers continuing during the day. New snow instabilities will develop above 800 metres on North to East facing gully tops and around sheltered rims of corries with deeper drifting likely in steepest, sheltered locations. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Isolated. (Though some improvement possible for Wednesday above 800m). ICING: Cooler temperatures helping to retain what remains. Some ice still hanging in on the Post Face although all lines broken and very thin. COMMENT: Freezing levels dropping to 800 metres from very early morning. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------