NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/12/00
Another cool day with very light snow showers.  Cornice 
triggered slab avalanche activity noted at 1030 hrs NW aspect at 
1100m in Coire an t-Sneachda.  The persistent instability is still 
the surface hoar that has potential distribution, with soft slab 
load, on nearly all aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche 
hazard is Considerable (Category 3).  

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 29/12/00
Snow showers forecast again with moderate N to NE winds.  This
will maintain soft slab instability on previously loaded aspects.
Above 850 metres on various aspects, especially convex rolls,
avalanches are likely, particularly on the S through W and N
aspects due to the instability of the past week. The avalanche
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Main new accumlations still above 1000m.
ICING:  What ice there is is reasonably good.
COMMENT:  Heads up on the lurking distribution of the 
buried surface hoar with soft slab on top.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/12/00
New snow and strong SE winds have produced fresh areas of 
unstable windslab. This windslab is generally restricted to 
localised deposits in sheltered locations, notably on W, NW and 
N aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). 
Exposed old snow remains hard frozen and stable.
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 29/12/00
Snow showers are expected to continue overnight and during 
Friday. Localised deposits of unstable snow will be present, 
mainly on SW through to N aspects. The avalanche hazard will 
be Considerable (Category 3). Exposed old snow will remain 
hard frozen and stable.



CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover at all levels. Old frozen 
snow mainly in N and E facing corries.
ICING: Large areas of water ice exist on paths and open slopes 
under a thin layer of fresh snow.
COMMENT: Remaining cold.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/12/00
The cold North-Easterly airflow has brought new snow to all
levels. Snow cover exists on all aspects with deep drifting on 
SW through to N facing slopes particularly  above 800 metres.
Sheltered gullies such as Boomerang contain areas of deep soft 
slab which is very weakly bonded to the underlying snow-ice.
Avalanche hazard Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere new 
snow overlies rocks.  Slopes exposed to the wind remain firm and
icy.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 29/12/00
Snow showers are expected at all levels during the period. 
Further layers of windslab will accumulate on SW through to N 
facing slopes and in many sheltered summit gullies. Where deep 
soft slab overlies firm snow ice, avalanches are likely. The 
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow at all levels.

ICING: Ice on paths and rocks above 200m.

COMMENT: Crampons and axe essential on icy windward 
slopes and to prevent sore bums on corrie paths! 
 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/12/00
Light snow showers have added to the thin general covering of 
snow. Deeper accumulations can be found in sheltered locations 
on SE through to W aspects above 950 metres. This cold dry 
slab is weakly bonded and failed easily during stability tests. 
The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 29/12/00
Snow showers and drifting of recent deposits will continue to 
form windslab on SE to SW aspects. These new deposits will be 
weakly bonded to the already unstable snowpack that exists in 
mainly sheltered locations above 950 metres on SE through to 
W aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable 
(Category 3) with avalanches likely on steeper sheltered slopes.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A thin general cover of dry light 
snow exists on most aspects. 
ICING: Available ice is well frozen but quantity is still lacking.
COMMENT: Beware icy paths covered by light snow!



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 28/12/00
A light dusting of fresh snow overnight has left isolated patches 
of soft windslab on South-East through South to North-West
aspects above 900 metres. These accumulations are greatest in 
sheltered gullies and hollows of the above mentioned aspects. 
The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the 
snowpack remains well bonded and stable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 29/12/00
Snow tonight and tomorrow on a strong North-Easterly wind
will build fresh deposits of soft windslab on South-East through
South to North-West aspects above 850 metres. Sheltered gullies
and hollows will be particularly affected especially where the 
fresh slab builds on the remaining old snow deposits. The 
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A dusting at all levels. Main 
accumulations in Northerly gullies.

ICING: Needs a thaw and a freeze to improve build up

COMMENT: In need of a good dump of snow?




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