NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 15/3/06 The freezing level has dropped to well below the summits and snow showers have fallen on moderate South-East winds. Firm windslab accumulations have formed on Westerly to Northerly aspects. Instabilities exist within the snowpack on these aspects above 950 metres. Elsewhere the snowpack has re-frozen and become more stable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 16/3/06 It will remain cold with snow showers falling on moderate Easterly winds during the day. Unstable windslab will continue to build on steep Westerly to Northerly aspects above 900 metres. Gully heads, crag aprons and corrie rims will be especially affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good snow cover on all aspects. Firm and re-frozen on wind exposed slopes. ICING: Temperatures remaining cold. COMMENT: Poor visibility in the mountains today. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 15/3/06 Today has been mostly dry with moderate South-Easterly winds. The snowpack is generally well-bonded but instabilities are still present on steep North-West to North-East aspects above 1000 metres, mainly on corrie rims and gully heads. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 16/3/06 Mainly dry conditions and moderate Easterly winds are expected overnight and during Thursday, with possibly occasional or very light snow showers. Any fresh snow deposits are not expected to be significant. Instabilities will still be present on steep North-East to North-West aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy above 500m, mainly above 800m. ICING: Rime forming on high cliffs. Ice developing. Snow firm at all levels. COMMENT: Temperatures remaining cold. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 15/3/06 Light accumulations of new snow above 700m with South-East winds have affected the area. Above 900 metres weakly bonded deposits of windslab still exist in many sheltered locations. The greatest accumulations of unstable snow are on North-West to North-East aspects but especially around the tops of sheltered gullies and on steep scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 16/3/06 A cold Easterly airflow will affect the area with light snow showers above 400 metres accompanied by fresh Easterly winds. This will deposit light accumulations of new shallow windslab into sheltered areas. These new deposits are not expected to be significant. However on West through North to North-Easterly aspects above 850 metres bonding will be moderate on steep slopes, gullies and scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard in these locations will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. ICING: Freezing level 400 metres. COMMENT: Mainly dry but colder conditions. Ridges and buttresses are still the safer option. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 15/3/06 A rapid melt-freeze cycle has produced a surface crust and has helped to consolidate the recent snow but in steeper sheltered locations moderately to weakly bonded windslab persists on W through N to NE aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Exposed locations are scoured and icy. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 16/3/06 Snow showers and drifting will form moderately to weakly bonded windslab on SW to NW aspects above 700 metres. In steeper sheltered locations on N and NE aspects above 800 metres there will be moderately to weakly bonded layers within the pack. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover from 500 metres with exposed areas scoured and icy. ICING: Rapid melt-freeze has produced a thin crust with dry snow beneath. Heavy rime is present. COMMENT: Ski touring should be good when the visibility improves. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 15/3/06 It has been cold with no significant snowfall. A crust has developed on the surface of the snowpack that becomes thicker and harder above 800 metres. A relatively easy shear was possible immediately beneath this crust on a very steep North- West aspect at 900 metres. Elsewhere, cold temperatures after the partial melt event on Tuesday have encouraged more consolidation within the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 16/3/06 No snow is forecast but it will become a little colder with East- South-East or Easterly winds. Stability will remain good in many places but in particular on all wind-exposed locations where the crust that is developing will become stronger. Some near-surface instability will remain on very steep West-North- West to North aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Extensive cover above 600m. Very difficult when off the beaten track on Weds but the crust does improve at higher elevations. ICING: Improving but getting to it involves strenuous `post- holing' in deep snow with a breakable crust. COMMENT: Freezing at 200m overnight and 300m on Thursday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------