NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 23/12/01 There was a brief clearing that revealed the extent of the minimal snow cover. In the afternoon the temperature at the summit went to zero this contributed to the snowpack becoming more dense. North aspects have some very stable pockets of snow above 900 metres, most gullies are half complete. On South aspect there is more widespread cover above 900 metres. The snowpack is stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 24/12/01 Rain up to 1200 metres will be followed by snow above 800 metres. Isolated pockets of slab will form on South to South- East aspects. Where this forms on an old snow surface the stability will be fair. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Plateau cover softened with the warming but is generally complete even though thin. ICING: Some partial sections of ice on the easier routes. COMMENT: There appeared to be more climbers heading back than there were climbing, lean conditions still. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 23/12/01 Fresh snow from last night has gradually been thawing during the day. Localised areas of fresh slab have formed, although accumulations are generally restricted to scarp slopes above 1050m with a NE and E aspect. Where this fresh slab overlies older snow deposits, the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere there are insufficient snow accumulations to constitute an avalanche hazard. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 24/12/01 It will remain mild overnight and early on Monday with cooler conditions and fresh snow expected by Monday afternoon. The existing fresh snow will continue to thaw overnight and during Monday morning. Old snow deposits will remain in N and E facing gullies and deep hollows above 1100m. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow thawing at all levels. ICING: Colder conditions expected again on Monday afternoon. COMMENT: Limited winter climbing. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 23/12/01 Light accumulations of wet new snow exist above 400m. These has rapidly thawed as the day progressed. The greatest accumulations of snow are in sheltered hollows and gullies above 900m on slopes with a Northerly aspects. There is insufficient snow to warrant issuing an avalanche hazard. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 24/12/01 The mild conditions will continue through Monday with mainly rain or patchy drizzle. This will be accompanied by strong NW winds. Some snow showers can be expected around the summits above 900m. Accumulations of new snow are not expected to be significant enough to produce an avalanche hazard. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 600m. ICING: Ice on paths and on rocks above 600m; this is thawing rapidly. 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 SUN 23/12/01 With the freezing level around the tops and no further falls of snow or rain, the thaw is slow. Snow has become moist at all levels with some consolidation evident in the localised deeper areas on S aspects. For these few locations the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere remains sparse. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 24/12/01 The thaw conditions will continue before a drop in the freezing level to around 1000 metres. The few deeper areas that exist will show improved stability with remaining snow at lower altitudes continuing to thaw. New snowfall will be minimal and will not affect the avalanche hazard which will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A light cover remains but is thawing at most levels. ICING: Subject to thaw, water is running at all levels. COMMENT: The freezing level will drop to 1000 metres during the day. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 23/12/01 Generally the snowpack remains sparse with the greatest accumulations in North facing gullies above 900 metres. Very isolated areas of soft slab can still be found in the most sheltered scoops and hollows on South-East to South-West aspects above 900 metres, and although there is some improvement a shear can still be obtained. These areas remain small and easily avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 24/12/01 Continuing mild conditions will deplete the already sparse snowpack further. Greatest accumulations will remain in Northerly gullies above 900 metres. Isolated areas of soft snow will still be encountered in sheltered scoops on South-East to South-West aspects above 900 metres but will have bedded down and will present no hazard. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 900 metres. Generally poor. ICING: Poor. Climbs only starting to build. COMMENT: Mild, raining and dreich. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------