NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/2/01
A dry, clear day has led to little change in the stable, re-frozen 
snowpack, which is still extensive above 700 metres. Warming 
of sun-exposed slopes has not been very strong and snow 
temperatures above 900 metres are still cold.  Most cornices 
have now fallen.  The avalanche hazard is Moderate Category 
2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/2/01
No further precipitation is forecast and freezing levels will be 
around corrie floors.  The snowpack will be generally stable and 
well bonded , although deep-seated instabilities will remain in 
some places. These will not be a hazard in the forecasted 
conditions, except for isolated locations on steep, sun-exposed 
East or South aspects above 900 metres.  The avalanche hazard 
will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Extensive cover above 700m; the 
plateau has many exposed boulder areas.
ICING: Not much left in Northern Corries, but turf well frozen.
COMMENT: Easy gullies well filled; some tooth-rattling ski-
touring available. 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/2/01
Colder conditions during today have produced a frozen crust on 
the snow surface. Very localised areas of soft snow exist on 
sheltered scarp slopes above 1000 metres, although accumulations
are not significant. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/2/01
The cold and dry conditions will prevail through out the forecast 
period. Little change is expected to the existing snowpack. 
Snow stability will remain good. The avalanche hazard will be 
Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover above 700m.
ICING: Freezing level remaining at around 800m.
COMMENT: Large areas of snow-ice forming above 800m. 
Crampons and ice-axe essential for all hill users.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/2/01
Dry cold conditions have re-frozen the moist snowpack leaving 
it firm and stable. Near the top of summit gullies some shallow 
areas of hollow snow do exist; however the snowpack is
generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/2/01
Light Westerly winds with little or no precipitation are
forecast. Little change is expected to the snowpack and it will
remain firm and generally stable. The avalanche hazard will
remain Low (Category 1). Soft snow beneath cornices is still
present and will require caution.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Firm snow above 600m.
                                                                                                   
ICING: Ice is forming above 650m.

COMMENT: Conditions are generally good in the area. 



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/2/01
The majority of the snowpack is firm and well bonded with 
surface layers on S aspects being softened by the sun. Some 
moderately bonded areas exist in sheltered locations above 950 
metres on N to E aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate 
(Category 2). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/2/01
Conditions will remain relatively unchanged with the snowpack 
being generally well bonded. A few areas of moderately bonded 
snow will persist on steeper slopes of N to E aspects above 950 
metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Becoming patchy from valley level, 
better above 750 metres.

ICING: Has shown improvement although some routes remain 
poor.

COMMENT: Climbing has improved although areas such as 
Sputan Dearg remain poor. Touring is excellent.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/2/01
After a cold clear night with no further precipitation the 
snowpack has consolidated somewhat. Moderately well bonded
hard slab exists on all aspects above 750 metres and although 
well bonded on the surface a shear can still be obtained in a 
softer layer at around 40 cm. Some very shallow and isolated 
deposits of windblown snow have formed in the most sheltered 
hollows on North-East to South-East aspects. The avalanche
hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/2/01
With relatively cold and calm conditions prevailing there will be
little change to the current snow conditions. Moderately well
bonded hard slab will persist on all aspects above 750 metres.
Light drifting of existing snow will continue with shallow and
easily avoidable pockets of windblown snow building in the most
sheltered hollows on lee slopes of a North-East to South- East
aspect above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard will remain
Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres. Good 
snow-ice for cramponing.

ICING: Remains good. Freeze-thaw cycles are continuing the
build up.
 
COMMENT: There are large cornices above Easy Gully, the 
Post Face and in the Inner Coire. 




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