NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 7/3/06 Overnight snow showers on moderate Southerly winds led to new accumulations forming on Northerly aspects above 850 metres. Due to summit temperatures rising steadily to above zero, the snowpack on all aspects and levels has begun to consolidate. Instabilities still exist within the snowpack on many steep slopes above 850 metres. Weak layers and faceted crystals were noted on a North aspect at 1010 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 8/3/06 Summit temperatures will drop to below zero and snow showers overnight on moderate South-East winds will die out during the day. New accumulations of weakly bonded windslab will form on Westerly to Northerly aspects above 600 metres. Instabilities will remain on steep Easterly to Southerly aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still full cover but slowly thawing at all levels. ICING: Should improve in the brief thaw followed by a freeze tomorrow. COMMENT: Rapid stabilisation with temperature rise. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 7/3/06 A rise in temperatures during today accompanied by some rain at all levels have started to stabilise the existing snowpack. Localised instabilities are still present mainly at the tops of steep East and South aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 8/3/06 Colder temperatures and snow above 600m will be accompanied by moderate South-East winds. The existing snowpack will stabilise at all levels. Fresh areas of unstable windslab will form overnight mainly on West, North-West and North aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels today (Tuesday). ICING: Old snow should re-freeze overnight as the temperature drops. COMMENT: Snow showers should clear overnight leaving a dry morning. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 7/3/06 New snow and Southerly winds are forming unstable windslab in sheltered locations above 900 metres. These areas are mainly in sheltered summit gullies and scarp slopes with a North-West to North-Easterly aspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 8/3/06 There will be moderate snowfall overnight and later on Wednesday. Strong Southerly winds will form unstable windslab in sheltered areas. Unstable accumulations will be greatest in summit gullies and on scarp slopes with a West through North to Easterly aspect mainly above 850 metres where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 700 metres. ICING: Freezing level 600 metres overnight rising to 700 on Wednesday. Ice on higher rocks, paths and watercourses. COMMENT: Windslab and corniced areas will require caution. Ridges and buttresses the safer option. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 7/3/06 It has been a milder day with the freezing level rising very briefly to above the summits. Surface layers have moistened slightly but cold and dry snow exists deep within the snowpack. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab is present on E through S to SW aspects above 700 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 8/3/06 There will be a period of snow this evening that will clear overnight to give a mainly dry day. Further snowfall will arrive during the afternoon on strong winds. The overnight snow will start to accumulate on W to N aspects and light drifting will continue this process during the day. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab will also be present on E through S to SW aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover to valley level at present, but showing signs of thawing today. ICING: Small icefalls spotted as low as 500 metres. COMMENT: Use evening weather forecasts for up to date information on the volume of snowfall expected. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 7/3/06 Snow showers on South to South-West winds were followed by drier weather on Tuesday. The rapid transition to milder temperatures produced a period of very poor stability on North to East aspects above 800 metres. Dry slab avalanche activity observed on a steep North-North-East aspect in the Inner Corrie above Lochan a' Choire. Debris from small loose snow avalanches noted on very steep East aspects at 800 metres on the Post Face. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 8/3/06 More snow showers on South-East winds will affect the area overnight and on Wednesday. Additional poorly stabilised windslab will develop on steep North-West to North-East slopes and gullies above 900 metres, where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover still good above 700 metres with very deep drifts in places. ICING: Freezing at 600m overnight and 700m on Weds. COMMENT: Very misty on Tuesday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------