NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 13/3/06
Very strong South-Westerly winds with snow have continued to
affect the area. Drifted accumulations of windslab are forming on
North to North-Easterly aspects above 600 metres. Instabilites
are present in the snowpack and releases occurred during slope
tests. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 14/3/06
Overnight, very strong South-South-Easterly winds with heavy snow
will continue to cause severe drifting and accumulations of
unstable windslab snow will form mainly on North-Westerly to
North- Easterly aspects above 500 metres where avalanches will
occur. The avalanche hazard will be High(Category 4).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Whiteout and severe drifting.
ICING: Some refreezing of snowpack above 500m.
COMMENT: Continuing snowfall and high winds.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 13/3/06
A brief thaw during last night has been followed by cooler
conditions pushing in to the area during this morning. Snow
showers have affected the area with strong Southerly winds. Areas
of unstable snow are present, mainly on steep North- West, North
and North-East aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is
Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 14/3/06
Heavy snow above 600m overnight will give way to snow showers
during Tuesday. This will be accompanied by strong South to
South-East winds. Large areas of unstable windslab will form
overnight and during Tuesday. Greatest accumulations will be on
steep North-West, North and North-East aspects above 900m.
Avalanches will occur in these locations. The avalanche hazard
will be High (Category 4).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow falling above 600m.
ICING: Freezing level lowering to 500m overnight and during
Tuesday.
COMMENT: Strong SSE winds expected.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 13/3/06
New snow above 500 metres accompanied by strong Southerly winds
has affected the area. More weakly bonded deposits of layered
windslab have formed in many sheltered locations. The greatest
accumulations of unstable snow are above 800m on North-West 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 TUE 14/3/06
Heavy snow showers will continue through Monday night and Tuesday
morning with very strong South-South-East winds. This will form
further accumulations of windslab in sheltered areas. 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 in
these areas due to weakly bonded snow the avalanche hazard will
be High (Category 4).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 500 metres.
ICING: Freezing level 500 metres.  
COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses are the safer option. Deep
accumulations of new snow will require care on approaches and
descents.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 13/3/06
Snow showers were light but strong winds continued to
re-distribute deposits. Some consolidation of recent windslab has
occurred but stability remains poor. Deeper areas are to be found
on W through N to NE aspects above 500 metres. The avalanche
hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 14/3/06
Overnight there will be substantial snowfall and very strong
winds that will ease gradually during the day. Deep weakly bonded
windslab will be found in sheltered locations above 500 metres
mainly on W through N to NE aspects where avalanches will occur.
Stability of newly formed cornices will be poor. The avalanche
hazard will be High (Category 4).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep drifts with exposed areas
scoured.
ICING: Any significant ice is likely to be buried.
COMMENT: Paths will require some determined trail breaking.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 13/3/06
A heavy thaw has much depleted snow cover below 400 metres. Above
800 metres snow showers overnight and during the day on strong
Southerly winds have resulted in further accumulations of
wind-blown snow on North-West to North- East facing aspects.
Avalanche debris was noted high on North- West facing slopes of
Coire a' Chriochairein above 850 metres. Recent accumulations
overlie a soft base layer which when tested failed readily when
subjected to loading.  The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 14/3/06
A further band of heavy snow overnight on strong South-South-
East winds will ease during the day.  Windslab will continue to
develop on steep sheltered NW to NE aspects above 850 metres
where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will remain
High (Category 4).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Soft snow above 400 metres with 
deep drifts in sheltered locations.  Thawing snow at valley level. 
ICING: Not visible at present - buried under fresh snow.
COMMENT: Treacherous `man traps' either side of railway 
sleepers on main path to Coire Ardair (most now detected!)




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------