SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 2/3/06 It has been a dry day with no new snowfall but the very cold temperatures have maintained a slow rate of consolidation. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab is present on E through S to SW aspects above 700 metres. In sheltered locations deeper deposits remain very unstable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 3/3/06 Snow showers have been forecasted but heavy drifting is not expected in the mainly fresh winds. Unstable windslab will be present on E through S to SW aspects above 700 metres. New accumulations will cause additional loading and avalanches are likely in steeper locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Much improved cover on E through S to SW aspects. Deep drifts in places. ICING: N aspects will give a better chance of finding ice as S aspects are currently holding quantities of powder. COMMENT: Evening weather forecasts will give a good indication of the frequency and severity of the showers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 2/3/06 The continuing settled and dry conditions are gradually stabilising the snowpack. Areas of moderately bonded snow are present on many slopes, notably on steep South-East, South and South-West aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 3/3/06 Isolated snow showers are expected with light Northerly winds. Areas of moderately bonded snow will still be present on many slopes. Greatest accumulations will be on steep South-East, South and South-West aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations above 600m. ICING: Remaining cold. COMMENT: Many routes on the Ben receiving ascents. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 2/3/06 Cold dry and settled conditions have affected the area overnight and today. Much of the snowpack is stable but deeper accumulations of older windslab remain in sheltered locations. These areas are mainly in sheltered summit gullies and scarp slopes with an East to Southerly aspect above 1000 metres where the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 3/3/06 It will remain cold with fresh Northerly winds and the possibility of isolated snow showers. General snowpack stability will be good apart from areas where deep windslab exists on steeper slopes where stability will be poor. These accumulations will be greatest in summit gullies and scarp slopes with an East to Southerly aspect mainly above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 500 metres. ICING: Freezing level 100 metres. COMMENT: Great day on Thursday, fairly good outlook for Friday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 2/3/06 It has been a mainly dry day with very cold temperatures and moderate Northerly winds. Light drifting at higher altitudes with the occasional snow shower has led to further loading on South-East to South-West aspects. Tests on Southerly and Northerly aspects above 950 metres showed many weakly bonded layers within the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 3/3/06 Snow showers are to continue on moderate Northerly winds with very cold temperatures. The snowpack will remain weakly bonded and avalanches will occur on many steep slopes above 600 metres. Further accumulations of new snow will continue to affect South-East to South-West aspects. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A deep covering at all levels. ICING: Still buried; temperatures remaining very cold. COMMENT: Very few slope testers seen today - well done! However some large parties practising unsafe travel. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 2/3/06 Overnight snow showers on North West winds produced enough new windslab to overload the weakly bonded snowpack on some steep South East aspects close to 900 metres. Avalanche debris noted in Coire Dubh, Coire nan Gall and Coire a Chriochairein. Snow stability varies remarkably with altitude and aspect. The most weakly bonded deposits lie on shaded East-North-East to East-South-East facing slopes and gullies above 900 metres. Very cold temperatures have encouraged the growth of weak, early stage facetted crystals in these places. Fragile cornices continue to hang over these locations. Slopes exposed directly to the sun have more cohesive snow and better stability. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 3/3/06 It will remain cold and there will be some snow showers on Northerly winds. Stability will remain poor wherever new windslab builds on East-North-East to Southerly aspects above 900 metres, where avalanches are likely. Fragile cornices will continue to threaten these places with high additional loading. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Enough for uphill ski-touring but descents in breakable crust and iced-up heather are just too gnarly. ICING: Developing nicely on the Post Face. COMMENT: Fine bright day on Thursday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------