NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 17/2/06 Overnight snow on light variable winds has left a soft new surface layer on yesterday's firmer windslab. Unstable accumulations lie on steep North through East to South-East aspects above 950 metres. Weakly bonded layers of graupel were noted within sub-surface layers on a South-East aspect at 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 18/2/06 Very occational snow showers will fall on light Easterly winds. New accumulations will be small, but areas of instability will continue to affect North through East to South-East aspects above 950 metres especially where deep accumulations lie on steep slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A covering of new snow down to 650m, looks nice but lots of boulders. Good skiable areas at higher altitudes. ICING: Buttresses covered in soft snow, cold temperatures improving conditions. COMMENT: Calm, cold conditions continuing tomorrow. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 17/2/06 Calm and dry conditions have prevailed today. Instabilities are present on steep slopes with a North-West through North to East aspect above 800 metres, where weakly bonded windslab has accumulated. The main affected areas are in sheltered gullies, on scarp slopes and crag aprons. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 18/2/06 Conditions will be dry with light Easterly winds overnight and during Saturday. Weakly bonded windslab will remain unstable and avalanches are likely on steep slopes and in sheltered gullies with a North-West through North to East aspect above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 600 metres. ICING: Cliffs looking white due to snow not rime. Freezing level around 600 metres. COMMENT: Deep accumulations of snow present. Sunglasses were a good idea today. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 17/2/06 The greatest accumulations of 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: in these areas the snowpack is weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 18/2/06 Another fine dry day is forecast with light Easterly winds. However windslab will still be present above 850 metres in many locations but mainly 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 500m. ICING: Freezing level 600 metres. COMMENT: Should a dry day. Ridges and buttresses the safer option care required on approaches and descents. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 17/2/06 Overnight snow on light winds has resulted in a much improved snow cover above 700 metres. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab is present in sheltered locations on NW through NE to E aspects above 900 metres especially in gully exits and around corrie rims. Avalanche debris was noted on a NE aspect at Lochnagar with a starting zone at 1050 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 18/2/06 Light snow showers will add very little to the existing snowpack. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab will be present in steeper sheltered locations on NW through NE to E aspects above 900 metres. Gully exits and corrie rims are likely to present the greatest hazard. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Improved above 700 metres. ICING: Limited ice that is mostly buried under powder. COMMENT: Ski touring possible on higher plateau areas but don't use your new skis! CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 17/2/06 Yesterday and last night's snowfall on South to South-West winds created new windslab on steep North-West through North to East aspects. Some of these deposits are deep and those in heavily shaded areas above 800 metres have very weak facetted crystals in a soft near-surface layer. Stability is poor here and newly formed cornices overhang many of these locations. Fresh avalanche debris was noted below steep Easterly aspects in Coire a' Chriochairein and on Sron a' Ghoire. South-facing aspects experienced a little solar warming which encouraged some marginal consolidation in those places. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 18/2/06 It will remain settled and dry with very light winds and sub-zero summit temperatures. Cold temperatures overnight and during Saturday will maintain poor stability on steep, shaded North- West through North to East aspects above 900 metres, where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thigh deep snow in many places above 750m. ICING: Crags plastered with unconsolidated snow. Gully exits distinctly slabby and overhung by fragile cornices. COMMENT: High level ski touring potential is good but the descents would be horrible and gnarly. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------