Snow and Avalanche Report
Issued at 17.00 hrs Thursday 23/11/2000
Full winter conditions persist above 700 metres in most 
Highland ranges.  Drifting during the day of lying snow above 
900 metres  has led to fresh slab build-up on all Northerly 
aspects.  Gullies, scarp slopes and crag aprons now  bear 
substantial accumulations of slab and loose snow.  North-
facing slopes and gullies also show cornice build-up.   In 
Lochaber, fresh snowfall has increased accumulations, with 
cornice build-up noted in several areas, including the East face 
of Aonach Mor.  In the Northern Cairngorms, following a period 
of Easterly winds on Wednesday night, debris from several 
loose-snow avalanches was observed on West-facing slopes 
at 1000 metres in Coire an t-Sneachda.  Easy shears were 
observed in test pits at 900 metres in the same location.  Due 
to variable winds in the past 72 hours, slopes of many aspects 
are unstable.  The avalanche hazard in affected areas is High 
(Category 4 ).

Avalanche Hazard Outlook Friday/Saturday 24-25/11/2000
Some snow showers on Thursday night will be followed by a 
drier day on Friday, but the High (Category 4) avalanche 
hazard will be maintained on slopes of most aspects above 
800 metres and particularly on all North-facing slopes.  Further 
snow above 500 metres on Friday night will maintain this 
situation into Saturday.  Most Highland ranges will be affected, 
but particularly Glencoe, Lochaber, Creag Meagaidh and the 
Cairngorms. Milder conditions are likely to affect the Highlands 
from Saturday evening. 

Climbing conditions: conditions are generally poor, with little 
ice in the West and variable build-up in the Cairngorms.  
However, any ice is likely to be deeply buried.  Easy gullies are 
hazardous.  Approaches are laborious, with deep wet snow 
below 900 metres and unconsolidated colder snow above that 
level.

Note: this Report will be updated on Saturday 25/11/2000.



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