NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 21/12/01
The snowpack where sampled in Coire an t-Sneachda has poor 
stability, however the cover has very patchy distribution and 
there is limited potential to produce an avalanche.  Some 
patches up to 50 centimetres deep in locations lee to the 
Northerly wind.  The snowpack is cold and cavity hoar was 
observed in pockets among boulders.  The avalanche hazard is 
Low (Category 1).    

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 22/12/01
Continuing cold; significant snowfalls and North-Westerly
winds are forecast.  There still needs to be an increase in the 
overall snow cover before fracture lines will initiate across a 
slope to produce an avalanche.  Spindrift sluffs of 
unconsolidated snow  may be expected.  The avalanche hazard 
will be Moderate (Category 2).    

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  It's possible to skin up but not 
recommended to ski down except for very short sections. 
ICING: Plateau is well iced and some routes have ice enough 
for climbing
COMMENT:  Early stages in snowpack development but if 
current temperatures prevail faceting will occur.



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 21/12/01
Deposits of old snow are present, although accumulations are 
limited to deep gullies and hollows above 1000m on N, E and 
SE aspects. A fresh dusting of snow exists above 800m. The 
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 22/12/01
Further snowfall is expected overnight with strong NW winds. 
Where fresh accumulations form on top of existing old snow, 
avalanche hazard will develop. There deposits will generally be 
restricted to deep gullies and hollows above 1000m on E and SE 
aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). 
Elsewhere any fresh snow accumulations will not constitute any 
significant avalanche hazard.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying above 800m.
ICING: Remaining cold at all levels.
COMMENT: Isolated areas of hazard forming overnight.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 21/12/01
A light dusting of new snow exists above 900m.Greatest 
accumulations are in sheltered gullies above 900m with a 
Northerly aspect. There is insufficient snow to warrant issuing a 
hazard category.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 22/12/01
Cold conditions continuing with moderate NW winds overnight 
and during Saturday. Moderate amounts of new snow are 
expected overnight, becoming less during Saturday. 
Accumulations are not expected to be significant enough to 
produce an avalanche hazard. 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Dusting of fresh snows above 800m.

ICING: Ice on paths and on rocks above 600m.

COMMENT: Remaining cold with new snow forecasted.



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 21/12/01
Snow showers falling in high winds have led to new 
accumulations mainly in very sheltered locations on SE through 
to SW aspects above 850 metres. Although unstable where 
accumulations overlie older hard snow ice there was insufficient 
depth to generate any real hazard. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).  

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 22/12/01
Accumulations will continue to develop mainly on SE and S 
aspects and other sheltered locations. Above 850 metres
where new snow overlies older snow-ice it will be moderately 
bonded but these locations will be localised.
The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A few patches of old snow are to 
found on most aspects mainly above 900 metres with light cover 
elsewhere.
ICING: Nothing significant.
COMMENT: Routes have light cover of snow and ice. Turf is 
partly frozen.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 21/12/01
The early season snowpack remains sparse with main 
accumulations in northerly gullies and hollows above 1000 
metres. Drifting of new snow on a strong-North West wind is
beginning to build fresh slab deposits on underlying old snow 
patches in sheltered hollows on South-East to South-West
aspects above 900 metres but are as yet to shallow to constitute 
a hazard. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 22/12/01
Heavy snow on a strong North West wind will continue to build 
fresh windslab on South-East to South-West aspects above
800 metres. Where these fresh deposits form over old existing 
snow in gullies and hollows, there will be an increasing hazard 
throughout the period. However due to the scarcity of the 
snowpack they should remain easily avoidable. The avalanche 
hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover in gullies above 1000 
metres. Fresh dusting to 600 metres.

ICING: Poor. Climbs only starting to build.

COMMENT: It's a long walk to the snowline.




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