NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/2/06 There have been snow showers overnight and during the day on moderate Northerly winds. Heavy drifting has led to deep accumulations of new windslab on Easterly to Southerly aspects above 700 metres. On an Easterly aspect at 1100 metres stability tests showed weaknesses within the new snow. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 28/2/06 There will be heavy snow showers on strong Northerly winds overnight and during the day with very cold temperatures. Unstable windslab will continue to build and avalanches are likely on Easterly to Southerly aspects above 700 metres. Due to cross loading North facing gullies and crag aprons will also be affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels with some deep drifts forming in lee areas. ICING: Temperatures remaining very cold. COMMENT: High wind chill and whiteout conditions in the mountains today. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/2/06 Snow showers and Westerly winds have produced fresh areas of unstable snow in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are at the tops of North-East, East and South-East facing slopes and gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices are also beginning to form above these aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 28/2/06 Snow showers will continue overnight and during Tuesday with the wind veering to the North. Further areas of unstable snow will form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be at the tops of East, South-East and South facing slopes and gullies above 1000m. Avalanches are likely in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow falling down to around 600m. ICING: Freezing at all levels by Tuesday. COMMENT: Winds becoming strong from the North. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/2/06 New snow and Westerly winds today are forming accumulations of unstable windslab in sheltered locations. These areas are mainly to be found in sheltered summit gullies and scarp slopes with a North through to South-Easterly aspect above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 28/2/06 It will be cold with very strong North-West veering Northerly winds. Occasional snow showers will affect the area throughout the period. These showers and wind transport of existing snow will produce unstable windslab in sheltered locations. These accumulations will be greatest in summit gullies and scarp slopes with a North-East through to Southerly aspect mainly above 900 metres. Where these accumulations attain any depth or have formed on older re-frozen snow bonding will be poor. Windward slopes will become scoured and icy giving good stability. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 600 metres. ICING: Freezing level 450 metres overnight, 100 metres on Tuesday. COMMENT: Windy on the tops. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/2/06 Snow showers and drifting are forming fresh windslab in sheltered locations on SE to SW aspects above 800 metres. These localised accumulations are significant in depth and fail easily during shear tests. Elsewhere the snowpack remains well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 28/2/06 Snow showers on very strong winds will continue to form unstable windslab in sheltered locations on some E aspects but more predominantly on SE to SW aspects. These rapidly forming deposits will be moderately to weakly bonded above 800 metres. Cross loaded deposits will be present in multi-aspected features. Avalanches are likely in all of these areas.The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Windblown and icy in many locations. Drifts on sheltered S aspects. ICING: Ice is present but conditions remain lean. COMMENT: Difficult conditions expected at times. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/2/06 Snow showers, some of which were prolonged around mid-day, have resulted in fresh deposits of soft slab on steep South to West aspects above 900 metres. Cross-loading has also occurred on East facing gullies and at the very upper elevations in gully exits and coire rims of these aspects new snow instabilities are present. Where tested on a steep East facing slope the mid-pack was well consolidated and stable, but an old buried surface crust was noted to be poorly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 28/2/06 Further snow showers will continue to affect the area overnight and during the day. New accumulations of windslab will develop on East to South facing slopes and gullies. New snow instabilities will persist and with any significant accumulation, as the day progresses avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light general cover down to 750 metres. ICING: Continuing to improve. COMMENT: Wintry conditions on tops. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------