NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 15/2/06
There has been snow overnight and during the day on strong
South-Westerly winds.  Heavy drifting has led to deep
accumulations of windslab on steep Northerly to Easterly aspects
above 950 metres. A weak soft layer of graupel within sub-surface
layers was noted on a North-East aspect at 1080 metres.  The
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 16/2/06
Light snow overnight will turn more showery during the day on
strong South-West backing Southerly winds.  Unstable windslab
will continue to develop and avalanches are likely mainly on
steep Northerly to Easterly aspects above 800 metres.  Unstable
cornices will also affect these aspects.  The avalanche hazard
will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep drifts developing on N to E aspects.
ICING: Buttresses white, conditions improving in cooler
temperatures. 
COMMENT: Unstable cornices developing on N to E aspects.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 15/2/06
Snow showers and South-West winds have formed fresh areas of
unstable windslab in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations
are on steep North, North-East and East aspects above 1000m. The
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 16/2/06
Further snow is expected overnight and during Thursday with winds
backing from South-West to South. Areas of unstable windslab will
continue to form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations
will be on steep North-West, North, North-East and East aspects
above 1000m. Avalanches are likely in these locations. The
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying above 600m.
ICING: Freezing level remaining around 750m.
COMMENT: Moderate winds will lead to windslab 
development. 



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 15/2/06
Frequent snow showers above 700 metres with very strong SW winds
have affected the area. The greatest accumulations of new snow
are in sheltered areas with a NW through to E aspect. Windslab
has formed in these locations mainly above 900 metres but
especially around the tops of gullies and corrie headwalls and
the snowpack is weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is
Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 16/2/06
Through Wednesday night and Thursday there will be more snow
showers above 600 metres accompanied by strong SW becoming S
winds. Windslab will continue to form above 850 metres in
sheltered locations on NW through to E aspects. Areas of weakly
bonded snow will exist on many steep slopes and in gullies but
especially scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: snow above 600m.
ICING: Freezing level 750 metres.
COMMENT: Heavy snow showers at times. Ridges and buttresses the
safer option: care required on approaches and descents.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 15/2/06
Overnight snow showers have given a general light covering of 
wet snow from around 700 metres. Deeper localised 
accumulations can be found in sheltered locations on N to E 
aspects above 900 metres. Some consolidation is evident but 
where accumulations are on steeper slopes and have depth they 
are moderately to weakly bonded.  The avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 16/2/06
There will be some further snow showers throughout the period. 
General cover will remain thin with dee.......erately bonded 
accumulations being found on scarp slopes and gully exits on N 
to E aspects above 950 metres.  The avalanche hazard will be 
Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover from 700 metres. 
Greatest amounts around gully exits and on scarp slopes.
ICING: Freezing level will be around 750 metres.
COMMENT: Moderate snow showers are likely later in the 
day.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 15/2/06
Snow showers on blustery South-West winds have combined to create
new humid windslab on steep North to East aspects above 850
metres.  Up to 30 cms. of new slab has accumulated in some
sheltered areas above 950 metres and some of this lies on much
older thawing snow.  Snowpack temperatures are relatively mild
and bonding is good to the thawing snow-ice, although easier
shears showed in near-surface layers during field tests.  The
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 16/2/06
South-West then Southerly winds will continue to feed in snow
showers overnight and during Thursday.  Steep, sheltered North to
East-facing slopes and gully tops above 950 metres will have
additional deposits of poorly bonded windslab loaded on to them.
Avalanches are likely in these areas.  New and fragile cornices
will develop over many of these locations. The avalanche hazard
will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover of new, wet snow down 
to 500m with better cover above 850m on Wed.
ICING: Freezing down to 750m overnight and on Thu.
COMMENT: Snow stability will be reasonable below 900m 
but poorer below cornices, at gully tops and corrie rims.




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