NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 24/12/01
Light rain up to 1100 metres has cleared most snow from the 
climbing terrain in Coire an t-Sneachda.  The snowpack where 
sampled in Coire an Lochan has an ice layer at surface and 
strong basal layers.  The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 25/12/01
Scattered snow showers are forecast with temperatures dropping 
to below freezing at all avalanche elevations.  The North-West 
winds will produce some small isolated pockets of new slab on 
South-East aspects above 1000 metres.  The avalanche hazard 
will be Low (Category 1). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Plateau still showing reasonable 
cover if only the visibility would improve.

ICING: Only remnants of ice, but colder conditions should improve
conditions considerably.

COMMENT: A nearly white Christmas with incomplete 
distribution above 1000 metres. 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 24/12/01
A thaw at all levels has stripped the hill of the recent fresh 
snow. Old snow patches remain, mainly in the beds of N and E 
facing gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 25/12/01
Fresh snow and moderate NW winds are expected overnight and 
during Tuesday. Fresh snow accumulations will occur at most 
elevations. Avalanche hazard will be restricted to areas where 
this new snow overlies old snow deposits. These areas will 
generally be restricted to E and SE facing scarp slopes and gully 
tops above 1100m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate 
(Category 2). 
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Old snow remains in some of the 
higher gullies.
ICING: Getting colder again tomorrow.
COMMENT: Looks like a white Christmas!



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 24/12/01
Very mild conditions and rain have diminished the light snow 
cover. Patchy accumulations of wet new snow exist above
930m: these are still rapidly thawing. The greatest accumulations of
snow are in sheltered hollows and gullies above 930m on slopes
with a Northerly aspect. There is insufficient snow to warrant
issuing an avalanche hazard.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 25/12/01
Colder conditions will affect the area during Monday evening 
and on Christmas day. Snow showers above 400m will be
accompanied by fresh North-Westerly winds. These new
accumulations of snow are not expected to be significant 
enough to produce an avalanche hazard.
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 930m.

ICING: Any remaining ice is thawing fast.

COMMENT: Climbing conditions can only improve. 

             MERRY CHRISTMAS


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 24/12/01
Mild conditions have led to a thaw at all levels. Remaining 
snow is patchy with only a few deeper areas  left mainly on S 
aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 25/12/01
The freezing level will drop to around 1000 metres with snow 
showers falling on NW winds. Deepest accumulations will be 
found on S aspects above 850 metres but these areas will remain 
generally well bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Low 
(Category 1). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy.
ICING: Not much left, water is running at all levels.
COMMENT: Freezing level will be around 1000m.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 24/12/01
Mild conditions have continued with driving rain on a gale force 
Westerly wind. The already sparse snowpack has been depleted 
further with deepest deposits surviving in Northerly gullies 
above 950 metres. These remaining deposits are soft but stable. 
The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).
   
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 25/12/01
Snow showers on a strong West-North-West becoming North-
West wind will cause fresh windslab deposits to form.  Only the 
most sheltered of gullies and hollows on East through South to 
South-West aspects above 900 metres, where underlying snow 
has survived the thaw, will there be any hazard. Open slopes 
which have no base will be unaffected. The avalanche hazard 
will be Moderate (Category 2) in these localised areas.
  

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main patches above 950 metres. 
Disappointing

ICING: Very poor.

COMMENT: Not much festive cheer up Creag Meagaidh today 
(24.12.01). However a white Xmas is expected.




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