NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 18/2/01
Maximum temperature today on Cairn Gorm was  minus 1 degree.  It
was slightly warmer on sun exposed slopes, with light winds and
no precipitation.  Colder snowpack  temperatures were observed at
a profile site on NW aspect at 1100 metres.  Shear tests gave
results only with very high additional load.  The avalanche
hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 19/2/01
Some rain to the plateau is forecast overnight with cooling on
Monday.  The most significant effect this will have is on cornice
strength, mostly on N aspect, that will weaken considerably.
There will continue to be areas with warmer and colder snowpack.
These will continue to have reasonably good stability.  The
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Plateau cover looks good, some 
boulder sections but mostly wind pressed powder about bone 
hard. 
ICING: Several routes in Coire an Lochain being climbed.
COMMENT:  Some awkward looking cornice exits in Lochain, 
judging by the ropes being passed down from the top.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 18/2/01
Cold conditions during today have frozen the snow surface 
layers, producing a stable snowpack at all levels. The avalanche 
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 19/2/01
Heavy rain is expected at all levels overnight resulting in a
brief overnight thaw. During Monday, colder dry conditions will
return, re-freezing the existing snowpack. Some light snow
showers are likely, although new snow accumulations are not
expected to be significant. The avalanche hazard will be Low
(Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 700m.
ICING: Freezing level around 800m on Monday.
COMMENT: Large areas of snow-ice above 800m. Ice-axe and 
crampons essential for all hill users.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 18/2/01
The snowpack above 650 metres is generally firm and well
consolidated. As temperatures rose at lower levels this afternoon 
the surface of the snowpack has softened. At higher altitudes an 
icy crust remains particularly on exposed slopes. The snowpack 
is generally stable and the avalanche hazard is Low (Category 
1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 19/2/01
Soaring temperatures and heavy rain overnight will make the 
snowpack soft and moist. Monday morning will bring colder 
conditions with light snow showers above 800 metres. Shallow
deposits of new snow on North through to South-East aspects
will bond well to the existing old snow. Accumulations of new 
snow in steep sheltered gullies will be moderately bonded. The 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Firm snow above 650m.

ICING: Ice on rocks above 550m.

COMMENT: Some classic routes such as Deep Cut Chimney, 
Central Gully becoming thin,buttresses dry.



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 18/2/01
The majority of the snowpack is well bonded with a firm crust 
that has softened on S aspects and at lower altitudes. Some 
moderately bonded areas exist in steeper sheltered locations 
above 950 metres on N to E aspects. The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2).
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 19/2/01
The freezing level will rise to above the summits overnight
softening the snowpack at all levels. On Monday surface layers
will start to re-freeze above 1000 metres but remain soft below
this level. Areas of moderately bonded snow will be found in
steeper sheltered locations above 950 metres on N to E aspects.
The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable from 750 metres.

ICING: Unfortunately still quite poor.

COMMENT: Routes still holding crusty granular snow.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 18/2/01
After a good freeze last night, yesterday's moist snowpack has 
frozen and hardened up. North West to North East aspects, 
shadowed from the sun, are well bonded and stable. On all other
aspects the snowpack is slightly softer and although the surface 
is well bonded, a shear can still be obtained in a softer sub 
surface layer at around 40 cm. The avalanche hazard is Moderate
(Category 2).
  
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 19/2/01
The freezing level will rise above the summits overnight causing 
a general softening of the snowpack. With colder conditions 
returning during the day the underlying snowpack will become 
well bonded and stable on all aspects. However snow showers 
on a fresh North-West wind will cause drifting onto lee slopes
of a North-East to South-East aspect above 900 metres. The
most sheltered hollows will form shallow and isolated windslab 
deposits. The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 
2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750 metres.

ICING: Still good. As long as the hordes up this weekend 
haven't chopped it all to bits!

COMMENT: Some large sections of cornice have survived the 
recent thaws, particularly in the Inner Coire and in Coire a'
Chriochairein.




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