NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 22/12/00
It was a fine dry day on the plateau.  There is a strong snowpack 
with new surface hoar at the profile site.  Various tests produced 
no shears. A small loose snow avalanche observed at Hells Lum 
crag.  The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).    

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 23/12/00
New snow forecast on North-East winds will produce soft slab that
will shear easily on the surface hoar.  The basal layers where
the snowpack is deeper than 50 centimetres will remain strong.
Significant new accumulations will exist above 800m on mainly SE
through S to W aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable
(Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Plateau has over 50% cover with 
greater accumulations in lee locations like Coire Domhain. 
ICING:  The major easy gullies are complete and there is 
workable ice on some climbs.
COMMENT: A quiet, quality day for the few people in the 
northern Corries.  


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 22/12/00
Dry stable conditions overnight have led to a general 
stabilisation of the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 23/12/00
A cold NE airflow with snow will move into the forecast area 
later on Saturday, until then the snowpack will remain generally 
stable. As fresh deposits form on older snow the snowpack 
stability will decrease. Greatest deposits will occur on South 
through to West aspects above 900m. Other sheltered aspects 
and altitudes will be affected later in the forecast period. The
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations  remain in N 
and E facing corries above 1000m.
ICING: Limited ice on the buttresses.
COMMENT: Returning cold.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 22/12/00
Mild conditions have thoroughly moistened the snowpack  
below 850 metres.  Above this the snowpack has just started to 
re-freeze.  The snowpack is generally well bonded and stable.  
The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 23/12/00
The Easterly airflow will continue to affect the area during the 
morning, being replaced by much colder conditions as the day 
progresses.  Snow showers with fresh NE winds will form 
accumulations of windslab on sheltered slopes.  The greatest 
accumulations will be on sheltered SW aspects above 500 
metres.  The avalanche hazard will increase to Considerable 
(Category 3) as the new snow arrives. 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy snow cover above 800m.  
New snow forecast for Saturday afternoon.
ICING: New ice forming around the summits.
COMMENT: Limited snow and ice climbing conditions at 
present.  This should improve as colder conditions prevail.



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 22/12/00
Slightly cooler temperatures have left remaining snow crusty but 
well bonded at all levels. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1) with greatest hazard from falling ice and rock.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 23/12/00
Little will change until the arrival of wintry conditions later in 
the period. New accumulations will develop at all levels with 
greatest development on SW aspects and other sheltered 
locations. Where new developments form over any older snow 
ice they will be weakly bonded and avalanches are likely on 
steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable 
(Category 3).   


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy at all levels. 

ICING: A few ice streaks left, nothing very useful.

COMMENT: Buttresses are black and gullies are incomplete at 
Lochnagar. 



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 22/12/00
Very mild and calm conditions have prevailed across the region, 
resulting in little change to the sparse remaining snowpack.  
Only gullies and hollows above 850 metres contain any snow.  
However, isolated pockets of sub-surface slab remain at the very 
tops of gullies of a North-West through North to East aspects.  
The avalanche hazard remains Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 23/12/00
Rain will turn to snow during the day on a strong North -
Easterly wind.  This will cause windslab to form on South 
through West to North-West aspects above 850 metres.  Initially 
this will only cause problems where the windslab forms on top 
of old existing snow, which lies in gullies and hollows.  Fresh, 
unstable cornices will begin to form.  The avalanche hazard will 
be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Extremely depleted.  Main 
accumulations above 850 metres.
ICING: Some remnants, but melting in the mild conditions.
COMMENT: Hopefully we'll get a good dump of snow.




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