NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 8/3/06 Warm temperatures at summit levels have resulted in further settlement and stabilisation of the snowpack on all aspects and altitudes. Some weaknesses remain in the snowpack on North-Westerly aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 9/3/06 Light South winds overnight will become moderate South-Easterly during the day with no precipitation. The freezing level will be at 600 metres. The snowpack will continue to stabilise with the expected cooler temperatures and will generally become well bonded on all aspects and altitudes. Some weaknesses will remain in the snow pack especially on steep slopes on corrie rims and gully exits on North to West aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good snow cover becoming less difficult for walking. ICING: Rime ice starting to peel off rocks. COMMENT: Cool temps will help firm up the snowpack. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 8/3/06 Thaw conditions have continued overnight and into Wednesday with no new snow accumulations. Freezing levels have remained above the summits. Localised surface instabilities are present on steep aspects at most elevations. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Remaining cornices are unstable and prone to collapse. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 9/3/06 Cold and dry air will push in to the area overnight on Wednesday. The existing snowpack will re-freeze and stabilise at all levels. No new snow accumulations are expected. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations above 600m. ICING: Wet snow at all levels during Wednesday but colder conditions expected by Thursday. COMMENT: Cold temperatures should improve climbing conditions again. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 8/3/06 Milder conditions have left the snowpack moist at most levels. Light accumulations of new snow and South-Westerly winds have formed localised deposits of 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 THU 9/3/06 Above 500 metres dry and colder conditions will consolidate the moist snowpack. Through Thursday warming will take place accompanied by Southerly winds. Localised unstable windslab will still exist in sheltered areas. Unstable accumulations will be greatest around the tops of gullies and on scarp slopes with a West through North to Easterly aspect mainly above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 700 metres. ICING: Freezing level 700 metres overnight lowering to 600 on Thursday. Ice on higher rocks, paths and watercourses. COMMENT: After a cooler start to the day warming will take place rendering the snowpack moist at most levels. Scarp slopes and corniced areas will require caution. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 8/3/06 Thaw conditions have set in with wet snow present at all levels. On E through S to SW aspects consolidation of recent deposits is taking place but in deeper accumulations faceted crystals are continuing to produce very easy clean shears above 850 metres. There is surface instability on steeper ground due to solar warming. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 9/3/06 The freezing level will lower to 600 metres, re-freezing surface layers above this altitude. Consolidation will continue to take place but in deeper deposits on E through S to SW aspects above 850 metres moderately bonded layers will be found. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snow will be well bonded. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover from the valley but thawing at all levels. ICING: Icing present but starting to thaw today. COMMENT: Ski touring remains good at higher levels but some route selection is required to ski to the valley. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 8/3/06 Overnight rain on new snow and mild temperatures during the day resulted in very poor stability and avalanche activity on North-West through North to East aspects. Debris from one noted on a North-North-West aspect and three seen and heard on North to East aspects of the Post Face and Inner Corrie around 1230hrs. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 9/3/06 It will remain dry with relatively cool temperatures. Only marginal consolidation of the snowpack is expected and wet snow instability will remain on steep North-West through North to East aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable cover above 750m with deep snow and avalanche debris in many gullies. ICING: It's still there but getting to it is just not a sensible proposition at the moment. COMMENT: Noises like rolling thunder accompanied the avalanche activity today. Coire Ardair very `atmospheric'. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------