GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 15/2/01
Mild conditions during Wednesday night and through today 
have started to slowly thaw the re-frozen snowpack. The 
snowpack above 800m has a trace of new snow over moist but 
firm granular snow layers. The snowpack is generally stable the 
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 16/2/01
Light S/SW winds with little or no precipitation is forecast. The 
moist snowpack will start to re-freeze consolidating any 
unstable wet snow. The avalanche hazard will remain Low 
(Category 1). 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Firm snows above 800m.
                                                                                                   
ICING: Ice should start to re-form above 750m.

COMMENT: Conditions will improve as colder conditions 
start to affect the area. 



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CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 15/2/01
Relatively mild and calm conditions have caused little change to 
the existing snowpack. Continuing freeze/thaw cycles have left 
moist but moderately well bonded hard slab on all aspects. 
Deepest accumulations persist in gullies and hollows on North 
West to North East aspects above 800 metres. Large cornices are 
suspect in the milder air. The avalanche hazard is Moderate 
(Category 2).
  
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 16/2/01
It will remain calm with no further precipitation. Also the 
freezing level will drop slightly, hardening up the existing moist 
snowpack. Further consolidation of existing hard slab deposits 
will occur leaving moderate to well bonded hard slab on all 
aspects above 800 metres. Deepest accumulations will remain in 
sheltered, Northerly gullies. The avalanche hazard will remain 
Moderate (Category 2).
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. 
Depleted at lower altitudes.

ICING: Plenty ice remains. A little wetter at the base of climbs 
today (15.02.01).

COMMENT: Large cornices are evident above Easy Gully, the 
Post Face and in the Inner Coire.



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SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 15/2/01
Consolidation of the snowpack has continued. Surface layers are 
soft but the majority of the snowpack is well bonded. Some 
moderately bonded areas exist in sheltered locations above 900 
metres on N to E aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate 
(Category 2). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 16/2/01
With a drop in the freezing level the snowpack will refreeze. 
Snow will be generally well bonded with only a few areas of  
moderately bonded snow remaining on steeper slopes of N to E 
aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be 
Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Becoming patchy on S aspects but 
otherwise good above 750 metres. 
ICING: Seeing some growth during rapid melt/freeze cycles.
COMMENT: General improvement in climbing conditions 
with touring remaining good as well.



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NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 15/2/01
There were a few light snow showers above 950 metres and rain 
showers below.  The wind eased dramatically and is light from 
the SW.  Snow surface softened on all aspects and elevations.  
The snowpack is warming but facets, although rounding, are 
still identifiable.  The snowpack is generally stable with pockets 
of instability below cornices.  The avalanche hazard is Moderate 
(Category 2).  
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 16/2/01
In the forecast weather of nil precipitation and light winds the 
snowpack will increase in strength, except on steep S aspect 
terrain in direct radiation above 900 metres. The existing load 
and shear stress in the snowpack will require very high 
additional loads to trigger avalanches.
Isolated pockets of depth hoar instability will still exist but at 
this time also require high additional load to avalanche.  The 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Since the wind dropped the plateau 
has good touring conditions. 
ICING: Bit of water dripping from the rocks around the ice but 
still okay.
COMMENT: Good climbing, good skiing conditions - what 
more could you ask for? 


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LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 15/2/01
Warm, mild conditions overnight have left the snowpack moist 
and generally stable. Cooler temperatures during Thursday have 
started to refreeze the snowpack with a firm crust developing 
above 1100m. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 16/2/01
Colder temperatures overnight and during Friday will stabilise 
the existing snowpack. No precipitation is expected during the 
forecast period. Snow stability will remain generally good. The 
avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover above 700m.
ICING: Freezing level lowering to around 600m.
COMMENT: Large areas of snow-ice forming overnight. 
Crampons and ice-axe essential for all hill users.



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