NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 26/12/00
The cold air continues with a small gift of snow.  After three 
days of Easterly the wind shifted to the North-West with 
moderate snow showers and even a spot of rain in the Scottish 
mixed air.  The profile site at the top of Hells Lum crag gave 
easy shears of the soft slab, greater accumulations at the crag 
base.  The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 27/12/00
Heavy snow showers from the North will continue to load 
slopes above 850 metres on South aspects.  Existing slab on 
West aspects will be sitting on the previously reported surface 
hoar in isolated locations.  Avalanches are likely on the 
mentioned aspects above 850 metres.  The avalanche hazard will 
be Considerable (Category 3). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Slowly building but not enough for 
the rock skis yet. 
ICING: Quality is reasonable with some aerated sections, 
quantity is lacking.
COMMENT:  Lochan levels are dropping leaving weak ice 
sheets on the edge.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 26/12/00
Cold conditions overnight and during Tuesday have had little 
effect on the existing snowpack. The snowpack remains frozen 
and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 27/12/00
Snow showers are expected overnight and during Wednesday. 
The snowpack will be weakly bonded where significant deposits 
occur. Accumulations will start to build, on sheltered E through 
to SW aspects above 600m, steep scarp slopes will be 
particularly affected. Wind blown slopes will remain hard
frozen and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable 
(Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Old snow remaining frozen and 
stable. Best cover in high N and E facing corries.
ICING: Large areas of water ice formed on paths and open 
slopes. Freezing at sea level
COMMENT: Climbing limited to easier gullies and routes high 
on the Ben. Remaining cold.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 26/12/00
The cold, dry conditions continue with a hard frost at all levels.  
The snowpack existing mainly above 850 metres is firm and icy.  
Summit slopes and buttresses above 900 metres exposed to the 
Northerly airflow are becoming rimed.  The snowpack is 
generally well bonded and stable.  Avalanche hazard Low 
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 27/12/00
The cold Northerly airflow will persist with snow showers at all 
levels.  Deposits of windslab will accumulate on ground facing 
South-West to South-East and in sheltered gullies.  Where 
windlsab overlies firm snow-ice, mainly above 850 metres, the 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy snow above 850 metres.  
Areas such as Broad Gully complete.
ICING: New ice forming on rocks and paths above 200m.
COMMENT: Turf freezing up nicely, although buttresses 
remain black in their lower reaches.



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 26/12/00
There is a thin covering of snow on most aspects. Deeper areas 
of soft windslab exist in mainly sheltered locations on SE to SW 
aspects above 950 metres. Cold temperatures have slowed the 
consolidation process. Development of unstable faceted crystals 
has continued and easy shears were achieved during stability 
tests. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 27/12/00
Overnight snow showers continuing through Wednesday will 
deposit further cold dry slab on mainly SE to SW aspects. 
Bonding will be minimal and avalanches are likely on steep 
sheltered slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable 
(Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A thin cover on most aspects.
ICING: What little ice remains has refrozen well. Turf is 
freezing up. 
COMMENT: Lochnagar cliffs have taken on a wintry 
appearance but the climbing is thin and limited.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 26/12/00
Once again the region has received only a light dusting of fresh 
snow. There are very shallow and isolated patches of soft slab in 
the most sheltered areas on South West to South East aspects 
above 900 metres but are not deep enough to present a hazard. 
The very cold conditions have left the snowpack well bonded 
and stable on all other aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 27/12/00
Snow showers on a fresh Northerly wind will continue to build 
soft slab in the most sheltered gullies and hollows of a South 
East to South West aspect above 900 metres. The continuing 
very cold conditions will leave all other aspects well bonded and 
stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh dusting down to 850 metres. 
Northerly gullies hold the most snow.

ICING: -5.5 at the top today (26.12.00) so it is improving 
although mostly of the thin and sparse variety.

COMMENT: 


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