LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 28/12/98 Areas of unconsolidated soft windslab are present, main accumulations being on E facing slopes and gullies above 900m. This windslab is moderately to weakly bonded on steeper slopes. Where this windslab exists in significant quantities, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Some unstable cornices were also noted above Easterly aspects. Elsewhere the snowpack is generally well bonded and stable. Where the snowpack is wind scoured, a frozen surface crust is present. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 29/12/98 A cold, dry evening is expected with a strengthening showery Southerly airflow developing during Tuesday. The existing areas of unstable soft slab will still be present, mainly on Easterly aspects above 900m. During Tuesday this windslab will be redistributed as the winds increase. These new deposits will form mainly on N and NE aspects. Where windslab exists in significant quantities, the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will be generally well bonded and stable. Where the snowpack is wind scoured, a frozen surface crust will be present. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at sea level. Main accumulations are above 700m. ICING: Freezing level rising to 700m during Tuesday. COMMENT: Frozen snow and ice on many slopes and paths. Ice axe and crampons essential for anyone venturing onto the hills. Gales expected later on Tuesday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 28/12/98 Cold and calm conditions have maintained the existing snowpack. There has been little change to areas of unstable windslab found in sheltered gullies and hollows of a N through to SE aspect above 750m, with surface instabilities still very apparent. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 29/12/98 Remaining cold overnight with light snow on a SW becoming S wind. During the day S winds and snowfall will increase. There will be further loading of existing windslab deposits on NW through to SE aspects above 750m. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3) with avalanches likely on the above mentioned aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels. Breakable crust at middle altitudes. Perfect snow ice on wind blown slopes. ICING: Thin on the harder climbs. Not too bad in the deeper gullies and chimneys (if you can find it under the snow). COMMENT: Large cornices above the Inner Coire. A fine day out today (28/12/98). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 28/12/98 Cold conditions with light SW winds have maintained areas of soft windslab on slopes with a NE-E aspect mainly above 950m. Where deeper accumulations have formed on steeper slopes the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) elsewhere the snowpack is stable. Shallow soft slab debris noted Coire nan Lochan AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 29/12/98 Southerly winds and moderate snow later in day will form fresh areas of windslab on slopes with a N-E aspect and in sheltered gullies above 850m. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3) where deeper windslab exists on steeper slopes and sheltered gullies. Avalanches are likely in these areas. In other areas a melt freeze crust has formed and the snowpack is stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 300m, icy in exposed areas ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 600m COMMENT: Conditions are limited but several higher ridges and buttresses having ascents today. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 28/12/98 Freezing temperatures have left a thin crust in most places, stabilising the recent deposits. However, in sheltered areas above 900m some moderately bonded snow remains, mainly on N through to East facing slopes. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 29/12/98 Continuing cold with strong S winds and light snowfall later on Tuesday above 600m. This will result in little change to the moderately bonded snow on N through to E facing slopes and gully areas with further deposits forming later on Tuesday. The avalanche hazard will become Considerable (Category 3) in theses areas where accumulations are greatest. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin crusty snow cover, with larger accumulations in sheltered areas above 850m. ICING: Thin ice buried under crusty snow. Greatest amounts on Eagles Rocks. Buttresses holding snow, albeit unconsolidated. COMMENT: Most paths very icy! Snow showers becoming heavier on Tuesday night! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 28/12/98 Cold, dry and calm conditions prevailed throughout Monday. Snow stability was excellent in most locations although patches of softer, moderately stabilised windslab persisted in a few areas of steep N to E-facing aspects above 1050m. Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche in these localised places. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 29/12/98 Avalanche conditions will remain good in most locations on Tuesday until the onset of strong SW to S winds and snow late in the period. The strengthening winds will also erode the significant amounts of snow that lie on the plateaux areas and re-deposit it as poorly stabilised windslab on steep, sheltered N aspects. The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2) in localised areas N to E-facing locations for most of Tues. This will rise to Considerable (Category 3) on N aspects - where avalanches are likely - with the arrival of strong winds and snow. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Recent heavy drifting has improved the snow cover on the plateaux areas but is still some way from complete. ICING: `The Cascade'(Stag Rocks), `The Lum' (Hell's Lum crag) and `Mirror Direct' (Coire an t-Sneachda) all successfully ascended on Monday. Ice conditions still relatively thin (and narrow) but improving. COMMENT: Excellent blue sky day on Cairngorm on Monday. Deteriorating conditions later on Tuesday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------