Avalanche Report - Edinburgh Area

by Cliff Smith Dec/2010
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Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) in conjunction with The City of Edinburgh Council and The Pentland Hills Ranger Service have issued the following Avalanche Hazard Report for Monday 6th December 2010.

Area

All hills in the Edinburgh area (including Pentland Hills, The Lammermuirs, The Moorfoots, The Lomond Hills and The Bathgate Hills).

Weather Influences

Heavy snowfall has affected the area on all aspects and at all levels, 10-15cm is expected on the surrounding hills and 5-6 cms at low levels, but greater amounts may be present locally.
the snowfall is due due diminish late in the day.

Current Snow Stability and Avalanche Hazard

Snowfall has accumulated at a significant rate and has fallen onto an already deep, weakly bonded snowpack that exists on all aspects, especially above 200 metres.
The new snow will weaken the snowpack further on all aspects mainly above 200 metres and here avalanches will occur during the storm, especially on steep slopes locally and on surrounding hills. The avalanche Hazard is High.

photo
Caerketton Hill in the Pentlands showing some avalanche activity

Comment

The snowfall is due to diminish late in the afternoon but it is recommended that a good period of time is given to allow the snowpack to stabilise after the current snowfall period, 24 hrs is a recommended guide.
Good route finding skills and careful route selection through snow covered terrain is required for those venturing out into the hills
Full depth avalanches were noted on a North-North-West aspect at 250 metres on Sunday 5th December.

Please feel free to circulate this report as appropriate.
For further information or advice please contact:


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