LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 24/2/02 Large areas of soft unconsolidated snow are present on many N, NE, E and SE aspects. On steep slope inclinations of these aspects, this snow has formed as unstable soft windslab which exhibits poor stability. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Wind scoured slopes remain hard frozen and stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 25/2/02 After a cold night, warmer temperatures with rain at all levels will push in during Monday. Wet snow instabilities will develop where the existing soft slab is present. Main accumulations will be on steep N, NE, E and SE facing slopes and gullies, where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 600m. ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits during Monday. COMMENT: Strong winds returning. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 24/2/02 Light variable winds and periods of strong sunlight are very slowly having a settling affect on surface windslab deposits. However deep deposits of weakly bonded windslab still exist on North through East to South aspects above 800 metres. Deep sub-surface instabilities still remain and field tests produced very easy shearing of deep slab and 42cm foot penetrations were recorded. The avalanche hazard remains High (Category 4). Slab and loose snow avalanches were observed on East and South- East aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 25/2/02 Snowfall will continue for a time on a moderate South-South- East wind. There will be some redistribution of recent unconsolidated deposits and weakly bonded windslab will be present on West through North to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Later as temperatures rise on a storm force South- Westerly wind and snow turns to rain at all levels a period of high instability will begin. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) with avalanches occurring on most aspects. Run outs will be long and cornices prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thigh deep snow on the path to Corrie Ardair. ICING: Looking good but horribly buried generally. COMMENT: Watch out for large cornices collapsing from North and East aspects in milder conditions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 24/2/02 New snow overnight added further layers of windslab to existing deep accumulations mainly on N to SE facing slopes and all sheltered gullies mainly above 800m. Calm and generally dry conditions to day have improved stability within much of the lower angled windslab. Where deep accumulations exist on steeper slopes bonding to the underlying older snow ice remains suspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) where deep windslab lies on steep ground; elsewhere climbing conditions are good with widespread snow ice on exposed slopes. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 25/2/02 New snow overnight and on Monday morning with Southerly winds will initially form fresh unstable windslab on slopes with a NW through N to E aspect and in all sheltered gullies above 800m. Later as temperatures rise to well above the summits heavy rain will affect the area. During this rapid thaw the snowpack will become saturated. Weaknesses deep within the recently formed windslab will develop and avalanches will occur particularly on slopes with a NW through N to SE aspect and in all sheltered gullies where deep windslab exists. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow all levels on Sunday ICING: Ice on rocks above 100m. Old snow icy. COMMENT: Climbing conditions good on Sunday will deteriorate as thaw affects the area later on Monday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 24/2/02 Temperatures remained cool through the day while the winds eased and the snow storm ended. This provided a period of slow settlement and some stabilization of the snowpack. Cornice collapse debris on a Easterly aspect was noted in Coire an Lochan at 950 metres. There are still areas wth over 50 centimetres of foot penetration, mostly on East and South aspects but also protected pockets at the base of climbs. There is an easy shear in this soft slab although tests did not release the slope. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 25/2/02 A South-Westerly flow will move into the area. Snow will be followed by rain with summit temperatures up to 2 degrees. Avalanches will occur in areas with the soft slab instability that is most extensive on East aspect above 850 metres. The slab distribution also exists on South and North aspect and includes some pockets on West aspect as well. There will be deep releases, particularly at the onset of rain. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Skiable plateau. ICING: Grades I to VI+ being completed. COMMENT: A few more days like that would have been fine. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 24/2/02 There was little new snow in this period. Colder temperatures have kept consolidation to a minimum but some settlement has taken place. On NE through to SE aspects above 800 metres recently developed windslab is moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Exposed slopes remain very icy. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 25/2/02 After a cold start with new snowfall there will be a return to milder conditions. New snow will turn to rain during the day. New accumulations will develop on NW to NE aspects but other aspects will continue to hold deep windslab. As thaw conditions set in avalanches will occur on most aspects where there have been deeper deposits of windslab. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4) Cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good above 800 metres. ICING:Ice beginning to develop in new locations, may be short lived though. COMMENT: Touring is good above 800m. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------