NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/1/02

There were very light Westerly winds and it is still 2 degrees 
above freezing at 1245 metres.  Although the thickness of the 
moist surface layer is increasing numerous slope tests show no 
failure of this instability.  The deeper snowpack is strong.  The 
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).   

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 10/1/02

There is no precipitation forecast and with slight cooling the 
surface snow layer will strengthen.   The deeper snowpack will 
remain stable.  The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep foot penetration in some 
places; specially around boulders and the base of some rock 
bands.
ICING: Still lingering in the grooves and lower angle cracks. 
COMMENT:   One good sign in areas with reasonable cover: 
the middle of the snowpack is still cold.   




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/1/02
Cooler temperatures during Wednesday have helped slow the 
thaw of the existing snowpack above 1200m. The snowpack is 
generally well bonded and stable. Main deposits remain in 
gullies and corries with N and E aspects above 900m. The 
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 10/1/02
A dry and cold SW airflow overnight will see the existing 
snowpack gradually re-freeze. The snowpack will be generally
well bonded and stable at all levels. Main accumulations will 
remain in gullies and corries with N and E aspects above 900m. 
During Thursday temperatures will start to rise, starting to thaw 
existing deposits, this will not significantly effect the hazard. 
The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best remaining cover in high N and 
E facing corries.
ICING: Freezing level lowering to around 250m overnight.
COMMENT: Just cold enough to stop the ice dripping on the 
summit today. Brief freeze/thaw cycle expected.                                                   



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/1/02
The milder conditions have continued through the period with 
moderate Southerly winds. This has led to a further reduction in 
the snow cover. The greatest amounts of snow are to be found in 
the higher corries and in sheltered gullies with a Northerly 
aspect above 900m. The snowpack is moist but is generally 
consolidated and well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 10/1/02
A cooler dry South-Westerly airflow will affect the area
overnight. The remaining snowpack will start to re-freeze and
will be generally well bonded at all levels. Milder dry conditions 
on Thursday will not significantly affect snowpack stability.  
The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1) in sheltered 
gullies and on steeper slopes. 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 900m.  The general 
cover remains thin.
ICING: Patches of wet ice still exist on rocks above 900m.
COMMENT: Cooler conditions overnight


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/1/02
Temperatures are beginning to drop but not enough to start 
firming up the snow. It remains wet and soft but it is generally 
well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 
1).

 AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 10/1/02
After cooler conditions overnight the freezing level will rise to 
around 1100 metres. Snow will initially be crusty but as the 
freezing level rises it will soften at all levels. Snow will remain 
generally well bonded with the avalanche hazard Low (Category 
1). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Easier gullies in higher Cairngorm 
corries are complete. Plateau areas are sparse.  

ICING: Subject to thaw at all levels.

COMMENT: Some walk-ins remain hard work in soft drifts.
 


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 9/1/02
It has remained mild with the freezing level above the summits. 
The remaining, depleted snowpack is soft and wet at the surface 
but reasonably well bonded to the hard slab underneath. Largest 
deposits remain in the beds of gullies on North-West through 
North-East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. Although 
the avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1) there is still a risk of 
cornice collapse in the mild conditions.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 10/1/02
After a cold night the freezing level will rise above the summits 
once again. This freeze / thaw cycle will only aid further the 
consolidation process of the remaining snowpack leaving soft 
but well bonded snow on all aspects. Largest areas will continue 
to be retained in the beds of gullies on North-West through 
North-East to South-East aspects above 850 metres. The 
avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1) with the risk of 
cornice collapse increasing as the temperature climbs.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy above 700 metres. Generally 
sparse.

ICING: Ice at 1000 metres was collapsing and melting. Only 
the very highest ice has survived.

COMMENT: Cornices above Centre Post and the Inner Coire.




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