NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 26/12/01
Snow showers have slightly increased the cover on existing 
patches and accumulated up to 5 centimetres at low elevations.  
The winds have continued from the West.  One hard shear was 
produced about 20 centimetres down in a snow profile at Ciste 
Mhearad.  The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 27/12/01
With significant snow amounts forecast and a wind shift to the 
South there will be rapid snow build up on North aspects.  On 
some steep North aspect terrain above 1000 metres with old 
snow-ice deposits there will be unstable slab development. In 
nearly all locations these patches can be easily avoided.  The 
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).   

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The plateau is still the best option 
for skinning around.  Except for the most recent snow the easy 
gullies are mostly bare for the lower half.  
ICING: Slight improvement with the melt-freeze cycle of the 
past few days.  
COMMENT:  Good time for some refresher practice with the 
avalanche transceiver.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 26/12/01
A light dusting of snow exists at all levels. Some greater 
accumulations are present at the tops of gullies and sheltered 
hollows above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 
1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 27/12/01
Heavy snow is expected overnight and during Thursday before a 
brief warm spell later in the afternoon. Fresh snow accumulation 
will occur through out the period on many aspects. As the warm 
temperatures arrive later on Thursday afternoon, loose wet snow 
instabilities will develop on steeper slope inclinations, 
particularly on all Northerly aspects. The avalanche hazard will 
be Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Dusting of snow at all levels.
ICING: Freezing at all levels. Water-ice forming on paths and 
open slopes.
COMMENT: Thaw later on Thursday bringing an increase to  
the avalanche hazard.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 26/12/01
Light deposits of fresh snow exist above 300m: these
accumulations are generally not significant. The greatest 
accumulation of snow is lying in sheltered hollows and in 
gullies above 930m on most slope aspects. These accumulations 
are lying as isolated patches. There is insufficient snow to 
warrant issuing an avalanche hazard at the moment. 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 27/12/01
Cold conditions will continue to influence the area during 
Wednesday evening and for Thursday morning. Fresh variable 
winds will become southerly with heavy snow showers above
100m. Where deep new accumulations form on steeper slopes 
instability will exist and an avalanche hazard will develop. 
These conditions will mainly be present in deep gullies and 
sheltered hollows above 800m: however with the variable winds
steep slopes of all aspects will need some caution. The 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light snow above 400m.

ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 400m. 

COMMENT: Looks as though winter snows are arriving.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 26/12/01
Snow is patchy with deeper accumulations to be found on 
mainly S aspects. Where soft slab overlies older snow ice colder 
temperatures have led to development of unstable faceted 
crystals and stability is moderate on steeper slopes. These areas 
are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate 
(Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 27/12/01
New snow will be heavy and will fall in S winds however most 
unstable areas will remain on S aspects. Where new snow builds 
over existing snow patches the avalanche hazard will be 
Considerable (Category 3) but these areas will be localised. 
Elsewhere there will be general covering. 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy, S aspects hold most but 
cover is still thin.
ICING: Much improved, watercourses likely to give best sport. 
COMMENT: Snowfall will be heavy throughout this forecast 
period.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 26/12/01
Snow showers have continued on a fresh North-Westerly wind. 
Small and isolated areas of unstable soft slab have formed in the 
most sheltered of gullies and hollows on East to South aspects 
above 900 metres. Generally these areas are confined to the beds 
of the deepest gullies and are easily avoidable. Considerable 
(Category 3) avalanche hazard.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 27/12/01
Heavy snowfall on a moderate variable becoming fresh 
Southerly wind will cause windslab to be distributed on to
North-West to North-East aspects above 900 metres. As the 
snowpack remains still relatively thin, the beds and exit bowls 
of the deepest gullies ( e.g. Raeburn's, Easy Gully, Cinderella ) 
will be most affected. The avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3).
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels. Cover 
remains thin but is improving.

ICING: Still pretty poor but fresh ice is forming again.

COMMENT: Not enough snow for ski-touring yet.




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