NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 8/3/02 The period of poorest stability passed during the morning with high freezing level, rain and strong Westerly winds. Avalanche debris due to cornice collapse and glide cracks were noted on North and East aspect above 950 metres. The snowpack has become well bonded and is isothermal in nearly all locations. Various crust layers above 900 metres are providing reasonable strength across the slopes. Below 850 metres the top layers of snow are mush. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 9/3/02 Cooling and snow will provide a return to more winter like conditions. Winds will continue from the West. New slab will develop mainly on Easterly aspects above 850 metres. The snowpack will be moderately to weakly bonded on these slopes where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Icy plateau with boulder and snow patches in the windward zone, still moist snow cover in leeward terrain. ICING: Leaking. COMMENT: Minus three degrees in the forecast is the best news. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 8/3/02 After a dry and warm night, precipitation has spread into the area during Friday morning producing rain at all levels. The snowpack is gradually thawing and consolidating at all levels. Localised wet snow surface instabilities are present, mainly on steep NE, E and SE aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Remaining cornices are prone to collapse. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 9/3/02 Cold temperatures are expected overnight and during Saturday with Westerly winds and snow showers. The existing snowpack will refreeze and become stable at all levels. Snow showers will start to form localised areas of unstable windslab. Significant accumulations will generally be confined to sheltered NE, E and SE aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). In other locations the snowpack will be well bonded and stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels on Friday. ICING: All existing snow re-freezing overnight and into Saturday. COMMENT: Climbing conditions set to improve again. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 8/3/02 Very mild temperatures and heavy rain have saturated the snowpack at all levels. Lower slopes are being stripped bare of any snow, greatest deposits of remaining snow are in the higher North and East facing corries and in sheltered gullies. In general most of the snowpack is stable but wet snow instabilities remain within the snowpack on the steepest slopes. In these areas and slopes threatened by highly suspect wet cornices the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cornice triggered debris noted below North-East slopes today. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 9/3/02 Colder conditions with gale force Westerly winds and snow showers will affect the area on Friday night and through Saturday. The existing snowpack will become firm with freezing levels expected around 500 metres. Windslab will form in all sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North-East to South-East aspect and will be weakly bonded to the underlying snow ice making triggering possible with low additional loads. Avalanches are likely. Avalanche hazard Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly above 800m in corries ICING: Colder temperatures for Saturday will start to re-form ice on the higher routes COMMENT: Conditions will improve where old snow remains. Windslab and fresh cornices will require caution SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 8/3/02 It has become very mild with a significant reduction of the snowpack taking place overnight. The snow cover is now patchy under 1000 metres. Moderately bonded layers exist on some steeper slopes but the majority of the snowpack is relatively stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 9/3/02 Snow showers on gale force winds will rapidly build weakly bonded windslab in very sheltered locations on NE to SE aspects. Drifting will cause localised deposits to become significant and where these overlie firmer snow-ice on steeper ground stability will be poor. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy under 1000 metres. W aspects and exposed areas have greatly reduced cover. ICING: Freezing level well above the summits last night and today. COMMENT: Becoming colder with the freezing level at 500 metres. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 8/3/02 There has been a period of high instability with numerous wet snow avalanches from North-East to South-East aspects with rain at all levels. Moderately bonded soft wet windslab deposits still exist on North through East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cornices remain prone to collapse as mild temperatures and rain continue. Debris has travelled considerable distances. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 9/3/02 Moderate snow showers are to continue throughout the forecast period on gale force Westerly winds. Weakly bonded windslab will soon build on North through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Areas particularly affected will be gully exits,lee slopes below cornices and sheltered steep slopes and hollows. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) with avalanches likely. Unstable fresh cornice fringes will again build on North and East aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION:Main cover above 850 metres. ICING: Thaw-freeze cycles continue. COMMENT: Exits from routes will once again be hazardous! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------