NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 20/1/01 Snow showers around the tops; light East, now Southerly winds and continuing cold temperatures have prevailed for the previous 24 hours. This has seen some new slab build on North and West aspects with consistent shears on steep ground above 850 metres. The older, previously identified instabilities persist. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 21/1/01 Heavy snow on South-East winds is forecast for the region. The previously reported poorly bonded layers will become critically loaded with the forecast snow in strong winds. Widespread avalanches will occur on nearly all aspects above 850 metres. Some fast moving powder avalanches will run into lower elevations. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Large icy patches alternate between near complete cover on the plateau. ICING: Some ice routes are mature ice routes but mostly thin to lean. COMMENT: This serious avalanche situation is said by long time observers to be represented by one of the most interesting snowpacks they have seen for a long time. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 20/1/01 Strengthening SE winds have started to form shallow areas of fresh soft slab on sheltered W to NW aspects. Older hard slab remains present on sheltered steep slopes, hollows, and the tops of gullies with NW through to NE to E aspect above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 21/1/01 The current settled conditions will be replaced later overnight and during Sunday. SE winds will increase to strong to gale force with heavy snow. Unstable windslab will form on sheltered steep slopes, hollows and the tops of gullies with a W through to NE aspect. Some sheltered E aspects may also be affected. Avalanches are likely in these locations. Where this windslab forms it will be particularly weakly bonded to the existing snowpack. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will start to reform. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow to all levels during Sunday. ICING: Remaining cold. COMMENT: Caution advised, especially in popular areas such as the Red Burn and the easier gullies on the Ben. Blizzard conditions expected on Sunday. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 20/1/01 Cold dry conditions have maintained the generally stable snowpack. Pockets of dense windslab exist in summit gullies and on corrie headwalls facing NW to NE. In sheltered locations shallow deposits of soft slab are weakly bonded to the older snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 21/1/01 A dry night will be followed by blizzard conditions at all levels in the morning. Windslab will accumulate on W through to N facing slopes and in sheltered gullies and hollows. Windslab overlying old snow on steep slopes will be very weakly bonded and avalanches are likely as the day progresses. Ridges exposed to the SE gale will contain icy snow. The avalanche hazard will become Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow due at all levels. ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 200m. COMMENT: SE gale and blizzard conditions-ridges require caution, sheltered gullies becoming more avalanche prone as the day progresses. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 20/1/01 Poorly bonded areas of generally shallow soft slab are to be found in sheltered locations on many aspects. Deeper areas are on N aspects above 950 metres. Within the snowpack moderately bonded windslab exists from 900m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 21/1/01 There will be a change to recent weather patterns with the arrival of heavy snow falling in storm force winds. New deep deposits will rapidly develop in sheltered areas on W to NE aspects at all levels. In many areas deposits will develop over poorly bonded surface instabilities and avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Newly formed cornices will also be a hazard. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good above 900m. ICING: Generally lean with a mix of quality. COMMENT: With the arrival of blizzards it's likely to be a poor day on the hill. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 20/1/01 Cold and calm conditions have continued, resulting in little change to the existing snowpack. Isolated areas of weakly bonded hard slab persist in areas where snow deposits are deepest. North West through North East to South East aspects above 850 metres are worst affected. These isolated areas are generally easily avoidable, but shear readily if stood on due to a fragile layer of depth hoar. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 21/1/01 It will remain dry overnight, but heavy snow on a storm force South East wind will arrive by morning causing blizzard conditions and heavy drifting. Sheltered slopes of a North West through North to North East aspect above 850 metres will be most affected. Unstable windslab will form on top of existing weak surface layers and will be highly prone to avalanche. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. ICING: Good on the Post Face and Inner Coire. Thinner on Pinnacle Buttress. COMMENT: Poor mountain conditions expected. Be careful after all the good weather we've had. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------