NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 16/3/06 The snowpack is generally re-frozen and hard on all aspects and altitudes. Today fresh snowfall carried on moderate Easterly winds has resulted in accumulations of very unstable windslab mainly above 900 metres on North-West to North-Easterly aspects. Slope tests carried out on a North-West aspect at 1050 metres produced very easy releases. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 17/3/06 Overnight Easterly winds will lessen and become North-Easterly during the day with little snowfall. The freezing level will be at 250 metres. Drifting will continue overnight and during the day and weakly bonded accumulations will continue to develop above 800 metres on mainly South-Westerly to Northerly aspects where avalanches are likely. In particular gully exits, flanks and crag aprons will be affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good firm snow cover above 600m. Snow showers continuing. ICING: Good frozen snow-ice in places. COMMENT: Delicate windslab in gullies ! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 16/3/06 Large areas of old re-frozen and stable snow are present on many slope aspects. Localised shallow deposits of moderately bonded snow are still present in some locations. Greatest accumulations are on steep North-West to North-East aspects above 1100m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 17/3/06 Cold and dry conditions will prevail with light Easterly winds. Large areas of stable snow will be present on many aspects. Localised accumulations of moderately bonded snow will be present on some steep North-West to North-East aspects above 1100m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover remains above 650m. ICING: Most of the snow surface is re-frozen. COMMENT: Better climbing conditions. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 16/3/06 Cold Easterly conditions have affected the area. The snowpack has a re-frozen crust and is generally stable. Some localised accumulations of windslab still exist in some sheltered locations. The greatest accumulations of moderately bonded snow are on NW through to NE aspects above 900 metres but especially around the tops of sheltered gullies and on steep scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). In most locations the snowpack is generally well bonded. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 17/3/06 Settled and dry conditions will affect the area with NE winds. The snowpack will remain generally stable at all levels. However some localised areas of moderately bonded snow may exist on NW through to NE aspects but more so around the tops of sheltered gullies and on steep scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. ICING: Freezing level 200 metres. COMMENT: Mainly dry and cold, better climbing conditions. Have fun. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 16/3/06 Snow showers and heavy drifting have formed fresh windslab in very sheltered locations on W to N aspect above 800 metres. New accumulations are localised but significant in depth and are very unstable. Moderately to weakly bonded layers persist in the slightly older cold dry snow that is also present on these aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 17/3/06 A dry and more settled day is expected. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab will be found on W to N aspects above 800 metres. Areas of greatest hazard are likely to be found in steeper sheltered locations where very recent accumulations of unstable windslab will be present. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover from 600 metres with fresh drifts today. Exposed areas are firm and icy. ICING: Recent snow is consolidating very slowly. Heavy rime is present. Poor visibility again! COMMENT: The extensive snow cover will provide good ski touring once the cloud clears enough to see it. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 16/3/06 Light overnight snow showers were blown in on cold East- South-East winds. Stability remains good in all wind-scoured East to South aspects. New, thin windslab has developed on very steep and heavily shaded West to North-West aspects above 900 metres. These new deposits are confined to gully heads and the top of corrie backwalls but bonding is weak and this new slab propagates fractures readily. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 17/3/06 No snow is forecast and it will remain cold with lighter East or North-East winds. Stability will again be good on many wind- scoured East to South aspects. Thin, weakly stabilised windslab will persist on very steep and heavily shaded West to North- West facing gully tops and corrie backwalls above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still good above 600m but with a surface condition that varies from boilerplate to an energy- sapping breakable crust over deep snow. ICING: Climbers observed in South Post today (Thurs). COMMENT: Careful route selection required away from well- trodden thoroughfares otherwise your legs are in for a right beasting. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------