NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 24/2/06 Easterly winds with precipitation falling as snow above 900 metres and colder temperatures have affected the area. The snowpack above 900 metres has re-frozen to develop an icy crust on all aspects and is generally stable. New accumulations of unstable windslab snow has formed in localised areas on South-West to North-West aspects above 1000 metres, especially in gully exits and around corrie rims where new cornices are forming. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 25/2/06 It will be dry overnight with snow arriving during the day.The wind will be Easterly and strong. The snowpack will be generally stable above 400 metres. New snow accumulations will form on South- West to North-West aspects mainly above 900 metres. Here the snow will form unstable windslab and will lie mainly in sheltered areas at the tops of corries, in gully exits and flanks. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Shin cutting crust above 900m ICING: Snow on buttresses transforming to be good. COMMENT: Wintry conditions ahead, at last! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 24/2/06 Thaw conditions early this morning have been replaced by cooler temperatures this afternoon. Below 1100m, the snowpack is generally stable. Above this altitude, local areas of moderately bonded snow are present on some steep slopes. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 25/2/06 Cold conditions will prevail with light snow showers on Saturday morning. No significant new snow accumulations are expected. Localised areas of moderately bonded snow will be present on steep slopes above 1100m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snowpack gradually thawing below 1100m during Friday morning. ICING: Becoming colder again at all levels. COMMENT: Colder temperatures should further stabilise the snowpack. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 24/2/06 Traces of new snow fell this morning on an Easterly wind. The snow surface below 1000 metres is moist after a brief thaw period. Most of the snowpack is stable but instabilities remain on the very steepest slopes. These areas are mainly around the tops of sheltered gullies and corniced scarp slopes above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 25/2/06 Cold conditions with a strong Easterly airflow will affect the area overnight and for much of Saturday. Very light snow showers will fall for a period during the morning. Much of the existing snow will start to re-freeze giving fair stability but pockets of windslab and soft slab will exist in sheltered areas. These accumulations will be greatest in sheltered summit gullies, corniced areas and on West to Northerly slopes mainly above 950 metres. Where these localised accumulations attain any depth or have formed on older re-frozen snow bonding will be poor. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 600 metres. ICING: Freezing level 500 metres overnight, 400 metres later on Saturday. COMMENT: Fresh windslab accumulations are not expected to be deep or extensive. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 24/2/06 A thaw-freeze cycle has left a reasonably strong surface layer at most levels. On S to W aspects drier snow can still be found within deeper accumulations. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 25/2/06 There will be snow showers falling on strong NE winds. New accumulations will form in sheltered locations on S to W aspects at all levels. Above 850 metres where deposits achieve depth and develop over recently re-frozen snow they will be moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good thaw-freeze cycle has left breakable icy crust from 900 metres. ICING: Some ice has now started forming on crags. COMMENT: Generally the climbing will have improved. Some footpaths have become icy in places. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 24/2/06 It has been mild and generally dry. Relatively high snowpack temperatures are helping deeper snow layers to consolidate. There is a very thin wet surface layer on all snow deposits above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 25/2/06 Colder weather is forecast with stronger Easterly winds and a period of snow in the morning that will die out during the afternoon. The snowpack will continue to consolidate in the colder temperatures and stability will remain good in many places. Some new windslab development is possible on very steep West to North-West aspects above 950 metres as winds strengthen from the East and feed in snow showers. Stability will be marginal if this new slab overlies old snow and develops any significant depth. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover above 800m on Friday. Some small improvement possible during Sat. ICING: Colder temperatures in prospect. Freezing at 400m on Saturday. COMMENT: Plateau cover remains OK but as much heather and grass visible as snow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------