NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 18/3/06 Light snow showers have crossed the mountains on moderate South-East winds. There has been very light drifting on to West to North aspects above 900 metres. The existing windslab, which lies on these aspects, is beginning to consolidate but stability tests on a North-West aspect at 1070 metres showed some weaknesses between the sub-surface layers. Elsewhere the snowpack is frozen and firm. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 19/3/06 There will be light snow showers during the day on moderate Northerly winds and summit temperatures will rise to zero. Isolated accumulations of windslab will form on South aspects above 950 metres. The snowpack will slowly consolidate, but instabilities will remain within the snowpack on steep West to North aspects above 950 metres. Cornices will become weaker. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still firm but softening at lower altitudes. ICING: Thick snow lies on buttresses, some ice visible. COMMENT: Remaining cornices may be unstable in warmer conditions. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 18/3/06 In the area today the conditions have been mainly dry and settled with occasional light Easterly winds. The snowpack is generally stable with a re-frozen crust. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 19/3/06 The conditions will be dry overnight and then a few light snow flurries are expected during Sunday, with moderate North- North-Easterly winds. The snowpack stability will remain good but isolated areas of unstable windslab will accumulate on steep South to South-West aspects above 1000 metres, mainly summit gully exits and scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover above 650m. ICING: High NE facing crags heavily rimed. Buttresses have good neve. Ice in good shape and improving. COMMENT: Fantastic weather on the hills today and lots of climbing action going on. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 18/3/06 Dry conditions with North Easterly winds have affected the area maintaining a generally stable snowpack. Some localised accumulations of windslab still exist in some sheltered locations. The greatest accumulations of moderately bonded snow are on W through N 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 many locations the snowpack is well bonded. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 19/3/06 It will be mainly dry but milder conditions will prevail through Saturday night then very light snow showers during Sunday with Northerly winds. New accumulations are not expected to be significant. The snowpack will become moist but will remain generally stable. However some localised areas of moderately bonded snow may exist on W through N 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 900 metres becoming 600 metres. COMMENT: Staying generally dry with the chance of the odd snow shower. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 18/3/06 Varied conditions exist underfoot with ice, breakable crust and some soft snow all encountered today. Many slopes have well bonded snow but in steeper sheltered locations on SW to NW aspects deeper deposits contain marginally stable layered snow. Shallow pockets of re-distributed windslab also exist on these aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 19/3/06 It will be a mainly dry with just a trace of new snow expected. Moderately bonded snow will be found in the deeper accumulations that exist in steeper sheltered locations on SW to NW aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover from 600 metres. ICING: Varied conditions with heavy rime and some ice to breakable crust and powder all encountered. COMMENT: Good visibility today gave views of the best snow cover there has been all season. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 18/3/06 After a cold night the freezing level rose to around summits and winds remained light and North-Easterly. Mild temperatures have encouraged significant consolidation in the snowpack on many aspects and at most elevations. Stability is good in many places. Some old, cold windslab persists on very steep West to North-West facing gully tops and corrie rims above 900 metres. Easier shears were noted but deposits tend to be thin and localised. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 19/3/06 Cool temperatures will prevail overnight but it will become colder and some light snow flurries are possible on stronger Northerly winds. Stability will remain good on most aspects on Sunday. Some thin windslab may form on very sheltered Southerly aspects above 900 metres but accumulations are not expected to be extensive. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good above 600m. ICING: Most classic routes in Coire Ardair receiving `traffic' today. Freezing at 600m on Sunday so book your route early to avoid disappointment! COMMENT: Overcast at `Meggie but it was sunny from the Grey Corries westwards. Car park full on Saturday am. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------