NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 5/1/02
With the freezing level at the summit there has been a general 
settlement of the snowpack.  There are isolated pockets of 
buried surface hoar and the mid-pack snow temperature is still 
well below freezing at 1100 metres.  Snow stability tests gave a 
clean shear on the surface hoar down 80 centimetres where 
sampled. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 6/1/02
With little snow available for wind transport and continuing 
mild temperatures the snowpack will remain generally stable.  
The isolated pockets of surface hoar will persist above 1000 
metres. Steep convex terrain will be more suspect in harbouring
the surface hoar.  The avalanche hazard will be Moderate
(Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Plateau has suffered; some bare 
ground due to thaw or from scouring Westerly.  
ICING: Some ice in usual snow routes and dripping.
COMMENT: Pleasant day on the hill but lean winter; watch
out for the old surface hoar.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 5/1/02
Cooler conditions overnight and during Saturday have helped 
consolidate the existing snowpack. Localised surface wet snow 
instabilities are present, mainly on steep slopes and gullies with 
a NW through to NE aspect above 900m. Elsewhere the snow 
pack is wet and generally stable. The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 6/1/02
Mild conditions are set to continue during the forecast period. 
Localised surface wet snow instabilities will be present, mainly 
on steep slopes and gullies with a NW through to NE aspect 
above 900m. Elsewhere the snow pack will be wet and generally 
stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). 
Any remaining cornices becoming prone to collapse.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover remaining in high N and 
E facing corries.
ICING: Freezing levels above the summits again by Sunday.
COMMENT: Limited climbing opportunities.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 5/1/02
Milder conditions with strong South-Westerly winds have reduced
the snow cover at lower levels. A light trace of new snow exists 
above 850m. The greatest accumulations are to be found in the 
higher corries and in sheltered gullies. The snowpack has 
consolidated and is generally well bonded. Isolated areas of 
moderately unstable windslab remain mainly at the top of
summit gullies and on steep slopes in other sheltered areas with 
a Northerly aspect above 900m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate
(Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 6/1/02
A dry South-West airstream with strong winds will affect the area.
The snowpack will remain moist but generally well bonded at 
all levels and will consolidate further.  The snowpack stability 
will improve by morning as drier conditions affect the area. The 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500m.  General cover 
remains thin.
ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 350m. 
COMMENT: The higher routes should still climbable.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 5/1/02
Thaw conditions have left remaining snow soft and moist at all 
levels. Cool and drier snow can be found in deeper areas mainly 
on S aspects but this is now generally well bonded. The 
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 6/1/02
With the freezing level above the tops conditions will remain 
much the same. All snow will be generally well bonded with the 
avalanche hazard Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy, S aspects still hold 
deeper areas. Plateau areas are poor.

ICING: Some ice around, smaller watercourses providing better 
options but its thawing at all levels.

COMMENT: Some limited possibilities for climbing and ski 
touring still exist. 
 


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 5/1/02
A mild South-Westerly airflow has covered the region. Isolated 
areas of slab found on North-West to North-East aspects above 
850 metres have bedded down and begun to consolidate in the 
milder conditions. Numerous small wet sluffs have occurred off 
underlying rocks. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 
2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 6/1/02
The mild conditions will continue with no further snowfall. 
Greatest accumulations will remain in sheltered gullies on 
North-West to North-East aspects above 850 metres.  Isolated 
areas of moderately well bonded wet slab will persist in the beds 
of gullies on any aspect that retains snow. Further wet snow 
sluffs from rocks are likely and cornices will be suspect in the 
milder air. The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate 
(Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels but disappearing 
in the milder air.

ICING: Good on exposed watercourses but melting today 
(5.2.02).

COMMENT: A good freeze is required.




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