NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 20/2/06 Moderate North-Easterly winds with snow showers have affected the area. Accumulations of weakly bonded windslab snow have formed mainly on South to Westerly aspects above 700 metres. Field tests carried out on a Westerly aspect at 1110 metres produced easy releases on buried surface-hoar and graupel. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 21/2/06 Moderate Northerly winds will continue overnight and during the day bringing snow showers which will become less as the day progresses. Accumulations of unstable windslab snow will continue to form on South-East to South-Westerly aspects above 750 metres where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Improving cover on plateau and above 700m. ICING: Whiter buttresses COMMENT: Fractured cornices noted above some gullies in Northern Corries. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 20/2/06 The snowpack is gradually consolidating at all levels. Localised areas of unstable snow are still present on many steep aspects above 900m. Main accumulations are at the tops of North-West through North to East facing slopes and gullies. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 21/2/06 The snowpack will continue to consolidate gradually and stabilise. Localised instabilities will still be present on many aspects. Greatest accumulations will be at the tops of North- West through North to East facing slopes and gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 550 metres. ICING: Some rime on high cliffs. Freezing level around 500 metres. COMMENT: A possibility of a few light snow showers on Monday evening. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 20/2/06 The greatest accumulations of snow are in 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 TUE 21/2/06 Some light snow showers during Monday night are not expected to be significant. Tuesday will mainly be a dry day with Northerly winds. Windslab will still be present above 900 metres in many locations but mainly on NW through to E aspects. Areas of weakly bonded snow will exist on some 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:Ridges and buttresses the safer option. Some care is required on approaches and descents. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 20/2/06 Strong NE winds have re-distributed snow on to sheltered S to W aspects from 600 metres. New windslab has achieved reasonable depth in some locations and is moderately to weakly bonded. A weak layer near the ground was noted in several locations. Stability has improved on N to E aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 21/2/06 The strong winds will ease but there will be some light snow showers overnight on a N wind. In sheltered locations on SE through S to W aspects above 800 metres stability will remain suspect where windslab has depth or has developed over an older base. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wind gradually moving snow onto S to W aspects but still reasonable cover all round. ICING: Not much evident but remaining cold with a 600 metre freezing level. COMMENT: Plenty of deep drifts in places today. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 20/2/06 Snow showers and moderate to strong North-Easterly winds overnight and during the day have resulted in fresh accumulations of drifting snow mostly at summit levels. Areas of windslab have developed above 900 metres with some cross loading evident on steep sided East facing gullies. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 21/2/06 Further snow showers will occur overnight and during the day on fresh mostly Northerly winds. This will maintain the potential for additional windslab to develop on North through East to South aspects. Where deepest accumulations develop above 900 metres in highest sheltered gully exits and corrie rims, avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable cover around summit, patchy below 850 metres. ICING: Buttresses under fresh unconsolidated snow. COMMENT: Little overall change for Tuesday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------