NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/12/01
Weather observations for the period included light snow 
showers, continued cold temperatures and winds from the West-
North-West.  The top 50 centimetres of snow remains low 
density with little bonding and available for re-distribution by 
wind transport.  The cornice and soft slab tested produced a ski 
triggered avalanche on East aspect at 1100 metres.  The 
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).    

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/1/02
Dry, cold conditions with light Westerly winds are forecast.  The 
existing instability will persist.  East to South aspects and cross 
loaded areas will have soft slab instability.  The area of 
instability will be mainly large convex slopes particularly at the 
base and top of climbs between 900 to 1200 metres.  The 
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).  

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover increasing every day. 
ICING: Also slowly improving.
COMMENT: Avalanche thinking hats needed on the first day 
of the year.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/12/01
Localised areas of soft windslab are present in sheltered 
locations. As winds have backed to the West during the forecast 
period fresh deposits of soft slab are forming on NE through E 
to SE aspects. Greatest accumulations are at the tops of gullies 
and scarp slopes above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/1/02
Light snow showers and a Westerly airflow will see little change 
during the forecast period. Deposits of soft slab will be present 
in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be at the tops 
of gullies and scarp slopes with NE through E to SE aspects 
above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 
2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow lying at all levels.
ICING: Remaining cold.
COMMENT: Enough snow on the summit of Aonach 
Mor/Aonach Beag for ski touring. Happy New Year



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/12/01
Light snow showers today have formed a thin dusting of new 
snow at higher levels. Areas of potentially unstable layered soft 
windslab exist in sheltered locations mainly around the tops of 
gullies and steep East to South facing slopes above 900m. 
Where deeper accumulations of windslab exist the avalanche 
hazard is Moderate (Category 2). These areas are generally 
avoidable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/1/02
Fresh to strong Westerly winds with light snow showers 
overnight will affect the area. Fresh areas of windslab will form 
as redistribution of the existing snowpack occurs. Greatest 
accumulations are expected to form around the tops of East 
slopes and sheltered gullies above 900m.  The avalanche hazard 
will be Considerable (Category 3) in areas where deep windslab 
exists on steep slopes.
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover of snow at all levels 
Deep soft snow in higher gullies General cover thin.
ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 300m. 
COMMENT: Light cover of snow on ridges and buttresses;
several of these receiving ascents today.   


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/12/01
Moderately bonded snow persists in steeper sheltered locations 
on E to S aspects where windslab overlies firmer snow ice. 
Some accumulations are substantial but are avoidable with good 
route choice. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/1/02
There will be some light redistribution of deposits onto E 
aspects. Cold temperatures will maintain the slow consolidation 
process. Moderately bonded snow will persist in steeper 
sheltered locations on E to S aspects especially where firmer 
snow ice is present. Careful route choice will avoid these 
locations. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deepest cover on S and E aspects. 
Exposed areas have generally thin cover.
ICING: Watercourses and turf well frozen. Clearing of powder 
snow required.
COMMENT: Have a safe and happy New Year!
 


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/12/01
Clear mountain conditions with a Moderate North-West wind 
have brought had little change to present snowpack conditions.
Weakly bonded windslab persists on North-East through East to
South- West aspects above 850 metres. Lee slopes below cornices,
sheltered gullies and hollows of the above mentioned aspects are
particularly affected but can generally be avoided. The avalanche
hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/1/02
A strong Westerly wind will continue drifting of unconsolidated
snowpack. Weakly bonded windslab deposits will be present on 
North-East through East to South aspects above 850 metres. As 
temperatures remain below freezing, weak sub surface layers will
remain in deeper deposits found in sheltered gullies, hollows 
and lee slopes below cornices of the above mentioned aspects. 
The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover at all levels.
ICING: Improving in exposed areas, still a lot of 
unconsolidated snow in between.
COMMENT: Have a good Hogmanay, see you in the New Year.




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