NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 23/12/00 Light winds and snow showers above 850 metres produced little appreciable change in surface stability. The profile at Coire an Lochain at 1130 metres gave a clean shear on an ice layer down 43 centimetres. This buried ice layer had a quite a bit of wind transported grass on it. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 24/12/00 More snow is forecast with loading on South and West aspects. The new soft slab will be unstable on existing snow slopes, this includes approach slopes to some climbs. The new snow will disguise existing snow boundaries. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The Great Slab in Coire an Lochain is about one quarter snow covered. The lower part of the Twin Burns is not snow covered. Main gullies complete. ICING: Some ice sections complete in Coire an Lochain area. COMMENT: What ice there is is in reasonable condition. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 23/12/00 The continuing dry settled conditions have had little effect on the existing snowpack which remains stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 24/12/00 Some very light snowfall is expected above 600m during Sunday. Localised accumulations of fresh snow will be present, generally on sheltered South and West facing slopes and gullies. Existing old snow will remain frozen and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Old snow remaining frozen and stable. ICING: Freezing above 600m, with water ice remaining on paths and open slopes. COMMENT: Best climbing on old frozen snow. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 23/12/00 Dry conditions with a light frost have formed an icy crust on the surface of the snowpack above 900m. The snowpack is generally well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 24/12/00 The North-Easterly airflow will continue to affect the area. Light snow showers will form accumulations of windslab on South-West to North-West facing slopes and in sheltered areas such as gullies. These accumulations are not expected to be deep or extensive. The avalanche hazard will increase to Moderate (Category 2) as the new snow arrives. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy snow cover above 800m. Light snow expected on Sunday. ICING: New ice forming around the summits. COMMENT: Limited snow and ice climbing conditions. This should improve as colder conditions prevail. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 23/12/00 Very little has changed within the period with the patchy snow remaining crusty but well bonded at all levels. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 24/12/00 New snow will arrive overnight developing into snow showers on Sunday. Where fresh deposits form over existing snow ice they will be weakly bonded. Greatest accumulations will be found on mainly S to W aspects although other sheltered slopes will be affected. The avalanche hazard will become Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy at all levels. ICING: No useful ice remaining. COMMENT: Climbing conditions poor at present. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 23/12/00 With only a slow drop in temperature and a light dusting of snow above 900 metres, there has been little change to the recent snow conditions. The snowpack remains sparse above 850 metres, with the biggest deposits in gullies on North-West to North-East aspects. A sub-surface shear can still be obtained on the deeper deposits and although areas are very isolated and easily avoidable, the avalanche hazard remains Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 24/12/00 There will be a little snow on a North-East wind. This will slowly cause very shallow and isolated patches of windslab to form on top of old existing snow in the deeper gullies and hollows of a South to West aspect above 900 metres. Other areas of the snowpack will consolidate in the colder conditions. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy above 850 metres. ICING: Should improve with the colder conditions. COMMENT: More snow is needed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------