NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 11/3/06 Continuous snow has fallen on strong South-East winds. Heavy drifting has led to deep accumulations of windslab forming on Westerly to Northerly aspects above 600 metres. When tested on a North-West facing slope at 1000 metres many weak layers were noted within the new snow. Large unstable cornices are also forming on these aspects. Elsewhere the snowpack is wind scoured and frozen. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 12/3/06 There will be strong winds from the South-East with heavy snow at all levels. Deep accumulations of weakly bonded windslab and unstable cornices will continue to develop on lee slopes. Avalanches will occur on Westerly through North to North-East aspects above 550 metres. Gully heads, corrie rims and crag aprons will be especially affected. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep drifts forming above 550m on W to N aspects. Icy and wind scoured on exposed slopes. ICING: Firming up in the cold temperatures. COMMENT: A wild weather day expected tomorrow! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 11/3/06 Light snow showers and moderate South-Westerly winds have prevailed in the area today. Fresh areas of unstable snow have accumulated on sheltered West to North aspect above 1100 metres, mainly on scarp slopes and in summit gully exits. Elsewhere the snowpack is generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 12/3/06 Heavy snow and strong Southerly winds are expected overnight and during Sunday. Areas of unstable snow will continue to form in sheltered areas. Main accumulations will be on steep West through North to North-East aspects above 1000 metres. In particular scarp slopes, crag aprons and sheltered gullies will be affected. In these locations avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 650m, mainly above 800m. ICING: Rime ice building on high cliffs. COMMENT: Summits temperatures expected to rise late on Sunday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 11/3/06 New snow above 400 metres and South-Easterly winds have formed deposits of layered windslab in sheltered locations above 850 metres. The greatest accumulations are on North-West through North to North-East aspects but especially around the tops of all sheltered gullies and on scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 12/3/06 Cold conditions will affect the area overnight with heavy snow showers and very strong Southerly winds. This will lead to further accumulations of layered windslab in sheltered locations. Unstable accumulations will be on slopes, sheltered gullies and scarp slopes with a West through North to North-Easterly aspect above 800 metres. Bonding will be poor on steep slopes and corniced areas where significant accumulations have developed and avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 500 metres. ICING: Freezing at all levels through Saturday night/Sunday. COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses are the safer option. Deep accumulations will require care on approaches and on descents. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 11/3/06 Overnight snow showers and drifting have continued the development of unstable windslab. This can be found in many sheltered features but is mostly on SW to NW aspects above 600 metres. In some locations windslab is deep and poorly bonded. Unstable cornices have developed in a few locations. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Areas exposed to the winds remain scoured and icy. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 12/3/06 Heavy snowfall from valley level accompanied by very strong winds will ensure poor conditions throughout the area. Deep weakly bonded windslab will be found in very sheltered locations from 600 metres on W through N to NE aspects where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep fresh snow drifts from 600 metres today. ICING: Nothing observed in poor visibility but it has remained very cold. COMMENT: Sunday will be a very poor day on the hill, if you can get there. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 11/3/06 Moderate South-East winds accompanied by light snow showers have resulted in accumulations of soft, multi-layered windslab on West to North-North-East aspects above 800m. Bonding is poor within these most recent deposits. New snow instabilities produced easy shears within surface layers. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 12/3/06 There will be further snow showers overnight in strengthening South to South-South-East winds: these will become heavier and more prolonged during Sunday. Additional windslab development is expected on sheltered North-West to North-East facing slopes and gullies. As the day develops stability will deteriorate; in steep gully exits above 850m and around sheltered corrie rims avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will increase to High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Soft fresh snow with deep drifts in sheltered areas above 600m. ICING: Still cold; temperature rising during Sunday but still remaining below freezing at summits. COMMENT: Wintry on the tops on Saturday, more to come for Sunday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------