NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/3/06 There has been continuous snow overnight and during the morning on strong Southerly winds. Deep drifts of unstable snow have formed on Westerly through North to North-East aspects above 500 metres. Whiteout conditions restricted observations but tests on a Northerly aspect at 520 metres showed several weakly bonded layers within the new snow. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/3/06 Strong winds from the South with occasional light snow showers will lead to further heavy drifting. Deep accumulations of weakly bonded windslab and unstable cornices will continue to develop on lee slopes. Sleet or rain may affect the snowpack later. Avalanches will occur on steep Westerly through North to North-East aspects above 600 metres. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels. Deep drifts across the road. ICING: Freezing levels due to rise slightly tomorrow. COMMENT: Some avalanche run-outs may be long. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/3/06 Heavy snow showers and strong South-South-Easterly winds have prevailed in the area today. Slopes affected by the wind have been scoured of any fresh snow causing large drifts in sheltered locations. There are deep accumulations of unstable snow on West through North to North-East aspects above 700 metres. Unstable cornices are also forming above these aspects. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/3/06 Strong Southerly winds and rain are expected overnight and during Monday, saturating the unstable snow and cornices. Avalanches will occur on West through North to North-East aspects above 700 metres. Scarp slopes, crag aprons and gully exits in particular will be affected. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Above 100m in sheltered areas, deep drifting on N aspects above 600m. ICING: Freezing level rising during the day. COMMENT: Strong winds, deep drifts and bad visibility hindered travel. No queuing for routes today. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/3/06 Heavy snowfall above 100 metres accompanied by storm force Southerly winds has formed weakly bonded deposits of layered windslab in many sheltered locations above 750 metres. The greatest accumulations of unstable snow are above 800 metres on West through North to North-East aspects but especially around the tops of all sheltered gullies and on scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Cornices are fragile. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/3/06 Becoming milder with rain penetrating through at most levels and becoming more persistent during Monday. These conditions will be accompanied by gale force Southerly winds leading to wet snow instabilities on most slopes. Bonding will be poor on steep slopes, gullies and scarp slopes of all aspects but mainly those with a West through North to North-Easterly aspect above 800 metres. Avalanches will occur due to weakly bonded snow: the avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Cornices will also be prone to collapse triggering slopes below. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 300 metres. ICING: Freezing level 1500 metres. COMMENT: Looks like a stormy day coming our way. Ridges and buttresses are the safer option. Deep accumulations will require care on approaches and descents. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/3/06 Heavy snow and drifting have continued the development of weakly bonded windslab. It can be found in many sheltered features but it is present in quantity on W through N to NE aspects above 500 metres. Cornices are extremely fragile and observers released a number of small slopes today. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/3/06 Further snowfall and very strong winds will maintain the highly unstable conditions that are prevalent at present. Deep weakly bonded windslab will be found in sheltered locations from 500 metres on W through N to NE aspects, where avalanches will occur. Fragile cornices will continue to develop. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep fresh snow drifts from valley level. Progress very difficult even with snow shoes! ICING: Impossible to observe today. Approaches and clearing will be a problem at present. COMMENT: Transceivers, shovels, probes and safe travel techniques are highly recommended. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 12/3/06 The present storm cycle with strong mainly Southerly winds has brought heavy snowfalls overnight and during the day. New snow instabilities are widespread; at lower elevations below 650 metres a rise in temperature accompanied by light rain and drizzle has produced a number of small wet single point release natural snow slides. Above 850 metres recent accumulations have developed areas of windslab on North-West to North-East aspects; field tests produced easy shears in surface layers. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 13/3/06 Further weather fronts will affect the area overnight and during Monday. Fluctuating temperatures will bring both rain and snow at lower elevations. Strong gale force Southerly winds will result in further windslab development on steep sheltered NW to NE aspects above 900 metres where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover with thawing snow at valley level. ICING: Fluctuating temperatures with maximum plus 2 C and minus 1 C COMMENT: `Trail-breakers' needed at Creag Meagaidh. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------