NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 12/1/02

Strong Westerly winds with recorded gusts to 93 mph have 
caused severe depletion of the snowpack.  The energy of the 
warm wind (temperature at 1245 metres, 3 degrees) has made 
the 80 centimetre snowpack isothermal where sampled at 1130 
metres.  A wind blown layer of grass is lying on some lee snow 
surfaces. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 13/1/02

Periods of rain will further deplete the snowpack.  This rain will 
produce some weak surface snow; however the instability on
steep ground will not contribute to avalanche hazard.  The 
deeper snowpack will remain strong. The avalanche hazard will 
be Low (Category 1). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Very lonely looking patches still 
surviving. 
ICING: Just hanging in there on cold ground.
COMMENT: Perhaps a return to cold weather in a few days. 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 12/1/02
A dry and warm day in Lochaber with a strong South-Westerly
wind was had little effect on the existing snowpack. Snow 
stability remains generally good. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 13/1/02
A mild wet and windy day is forecast for Sunday with rain at all 
levels. The snowpack will continue to thaw at all levels. Snow 
stability will remain generally good. The avalanche hazard will 
be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover remaining, mainly 
above 900m.
ICING: Freezing level remaining above the summits.
COMMENT: 



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 12/1/02
The remaining snowpack is generally very thin and patchy with 
greatest amounts to be found in sheltered locations in the higher 
corries and gullies with a North to Easterly aspect above 900m. 
Dry conditions today have left the remaining sparse snowpack 
well consolidated and bonded. The avalanche hazard is 
Low(Category 1) 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 13/1/02
It will remain very mild with strong South-Westerly winds and
heavy rain at all levels overnight and through Sunday. The 
remaining snowpack will be in a soft and wet condition. On 
steeper slopes and in sheltered gullies mainly of a North through 
to East aspect above 900m the avalanche hazard will be 
Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere insufficient snow exists to 
merit consideration   


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover remains thin and 
patchy.
ICING: Very little
COMMENT:  Poor climbing conditions due to prolonged thaw. 
Wet and Windy!!


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 12/1/02
The continued mild weather and warm winds are thawing the 
snowpack at all levels. The remaining snow is soft and moist but 
generally well bonded on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is 
Low (Category 1).
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 13/1/02
It will remain mild with the freezing level well above the 
summits. Rain and warm winds will continue to thaw the 
remaining snow. The snowpack will be soft and moist but 
generally well bonded on all aspects. The avalanche hazard will 
be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Higher E facing corries have most 
snow. Plateau areas are sparse.

ICING: Thawing at all levels.

COMMENT: Beinn a Bhuird is still holding snow.
 


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 12/1/02
Gale force South-West winds and mild summit temperatures are 
continuing to diminish the remaining snowpack. The snowpack
remains well bonded and stable on all aspects above 850 metres 
with the largest deposits being retained in the beds of gullies on 
North-West to North-East aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 13/1/02
High rainfall, South-Westerly gales and a freezing level of 2000 
metres will do little to enhance the wintry appearance of the 
hills. The snowpack will deplete further with the largest areas 
surviving in the beds of gullies on North-West to North-East 
aspects above 850 metres. Although the remaining snowpack 
will soften it will remain well bonded and stable on all aspects. 
The risk of cornice collapse will increase in the very mild 
conditions. Low (Category 1) avalanche hazard.
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy above 800 metres. 
Generally sparse.

ICING: Most of the ice from the cliffs of Coire Ardair is now in 
the loch!

COMMENT: Cornices remain above Centre Post and the Inner 
Coire.




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