NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 22/12/01 Moderate snow amounts and Northerly winds have increased the snowpack in lee locations. There are easy shears but ski testing did not release a slab in 85 centimetre of snow. Pockets of this depth are quite isolated and at the top of Southerly aspect slopes. There is also cross-loading on some East to West aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 23/12/01 The freezing level will rise to above 1000 metres and precipitation turn from snow to rain with North-West winds. The distribution of pockets of snow with the potential to avalanche will remain quite isolated. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Increasing snow cover with a cold snowpack that shows some facet growth at the base. ICING: Plateau is well iced; some routes have smears and early season ice sections. Turf is tightening up. COMMENT: Skinning up for a ski tour and walking down is still a reasonable option. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 22/12/01 A light dusting of fresh snow is present on many aspects. A limited amount of old snow is present in many of the main gullies of Ben Nevis, although accumulations are generally restricted to above 1050m. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 23/12/01 Snow overnight will be replaced by rain at all levels during Sunday. Any fresh snow will thaw, leaving localised old snow deposits in the main gullies on Ben Nevis and similar areas through out the region. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light dusting at most levels on Saturday. ICING: Freezing level due to rise above the summits on Sunday. COMMENT: Limited climbing opportunities! GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 22/12/01 A light dusting of fresh new snow exists above 700m. The greatest accumulations of snow is in sheltered gullies above 900m on slopes with a Northerly aspect. There is insufficient snow to warrant issuing a hazard. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 23/12/01 Cold conditions with snow showers can be expected during Saturday night with fresh NW winds. Milder conditions will affect the area during Sunday with any snow showers turning to rain at most levels. The very summits may collect some new snow. Accumulations of new snow are not expected to be significant enough to produce an avalanche hazard. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Dusting of fresh snow above 700m. ICING: Ice on paths and on rocks above 600m. COMMENT: Best winter conditions are on the highest buttresses in Stob coire nan Lochan and the Lost valley buttresses above 930m. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 22/12/01 The wintry conditions continue with gale force winds and snow showers. Exposed ground has little snow cover but in very sheltered locations mainly on S aspects above 850 metres there are some deeper accumulations. Stability is moderate on steeper slopes where these accumulations overlie older snow ice. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) for these localised areas. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 23/12/01 Snow falling in the morning will turn to rain in gale force winds as temperatures rise. The thin snow cover will be subject to thaw at all levels. A few localised areas of wet slab on mainly S aspects above 850 metres will require care although these are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover at all levels. ICING:Thin. COMMENT: Not likely to be a pleasant day on the hill. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 22/12/01 Fresh snowfall has remained light with the strong North-West wind decreasing throughout the day. On South-East to South- West aspects above 900 metres, very isolated pockets of unstable soft slab have formed. These are extremely localised, in the most sheltered of hollows and are easily avoidable. Northerly aspects are wind scoured and stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 23/12/01 Snow showers will continue overnight on a strong North-West wind. Very isolated pockets of unstable soft slab will continue to build on South-East to South-West aspects above 900 metres, but only in the most sheltered of gullies and hollows. These areas will remain extremely localised and easily avoidable. Later, the temperature will rise helping to stabilise these small areas. The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 900 metres. Fresh dusting at all levels. ICING: Poor. Climbs only starting to build. COMMENT: Heaps more snow needed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------