NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 20/12/00
There has been moderate to heavy rain over the top and strong 
Southerly winds.  Where there is a soft surface layer this fails 
easily in stability tests.  In some areas, the  snow depth ranges 
from 120 - 200 centimetres.  The avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3).  
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 21/12/00
Continued Southerly flow will prevail through the forecast 
period.  Although the precipitation will ease off the areas of thin 
steep snow cover will have poor stability.  The areas with 
greatest accumulation are mostly on Northerly aspects in the 
corries above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be 
Considerable (Category 3). 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  There are ribbons of snow from 
800 metres and more continuous patches above 1000m.      
ICING:  The limited ice cover is presently channelling water.   
COMMENT:  Climbing opportunities are quite restricted at the 
moment.   




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 20/12/00
The cold temperatures of earlier in the week have been replaced 
by a thaw with rain at all levels. The snowpack has gradually 
become wet at all but the highest levels. Localised areas of 
unstable wet snow are present, although these are generally 
restricted to steep slopes of a NW, N and NE aspect above 
1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 21/12/00
Warm and dry conditions are expected overnight and during 
Thursday with the freezing level remaining above the summits. 
Main accumulations of snow will remain in many N and E 
facing gullies and corries above 1000m. The avalanche hazard 
will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations in N and E 
facing corries above 1000m.
ICING: Freezing level remaining above the summits.
COMMENT: Limited climbing opportunities. 



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 20/12/00
Mild conditions have thoroughly moistened the snow cover at all
levels. The snowpack is generally well bonded and stable but some
localised areas of wet slab exist in steep sheltered gullies.
The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 21/12/00
The mild airstream will continue to affect the area. No new snow
or icing is expected for Thursday. The snowpack will remain wet
at all levels. Some small wet surface layers may "sluff" on the
steeper slopes maintaining a Moderate (Category 2) avalanche
hazard.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow cover above 800m.

ICING: No new ice is expected to form during the period and any
remaining ice is thawing.

COMMENT: Thaw conditions prevail giving poor wet snow climbing
conditions.
 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 20/12/00
Warmer temperatures and rain are thawing the generally patchy 
and shallow snow cover at all levels. Areas of unstable wet 
snow exist on N to E aspects above 950 metres. The avalanche 
hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 21/12/00
All snow will continue to thaw with moderately bonded areas 
remaining on scarp and other steep slopes of N to E aspects 
above 950 metres. Elsewhere snow will be wet and soft but well 
bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy at all levels. Greatest 
amounts to be found above 900m in N to E facing corries.

ICING: Any remaining ice is thawing.

COMMENT: Hazard of rock fall in current thaw.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 20/12/00
Thawing conditions with rain at all levels have moistened the
snowpack. Following the recent very cold conditiions localised
areas of sub surface hard slab persist on steep North West
through North to East aspects above 850 metres. This has led to
an avalanche hazard of Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 21/12/00
Mild conditions will continue resulting in little change to
existing snow conditions. Localised areas of sub surface hard
slab will persist on North West through North to East aspects
above 850 metres. Avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category
2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover above 850 metres, main
accumulations remaining in gullies and hollows.

ICING: Surprisingly good for this time of year - routes from
Centre Post upwards would be possible if the temperature drops.
Inner Coire routes are thinner.

COMMENT: An extremely dreich start to the season.





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