NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/1/02
There have been significant accumulations of snow above 700
metres with a South-South-East wind contributing to loading on
mainly North and West aspects.  Avalanche activity observed on a
NNW aspect at 1150 metres in Aladdin's Couloir.  This avalanche
ran on the old crust and sheared very easily in additional tests.
There has been a slight rise in temperature so new snow at lower
elevations is moist. The avalanche hazard is Considerable
(Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/1/02
Additional snow will add to the existing instability.  The slab 
will continue to shear very easily on the recently buried crust.  
The wind will shift to Northerly so South aspect terrain wll be 
loaded however some instability will persist on North aspect 
terrain particularly at the gully exit slopes.  Avalanches will also 
occur on steep slopes above 1000 metres, especially convex rolls
where the crust is the potential sliding layer.  The avalanche
hazard will be High (Category 4).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Starting over for many parts of the 
mountain.  
ICING:  Thaw zones tightening up. 
COMMENT:  It is critical on approach to climbs to consider 
the distribution of new slab on the crust.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/1/02
Fresh snow and strong SE winds have formed fresh areas of 
windslab in sheltered locations above 1000m. Significant 
accumulations are generally restricted to the tops of steep, 
sheltered W and N facing slopes and gullies. The avalanche 
hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/1/02
Further snow showers are expected overnight and during Thursday.
Localised areas of unstable snow will still be present, main
accumulations remaining at the tops of steep N and W aspects
above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category
3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying above 750m.
ICING: Freezing above 600m.
COMMENT: Conditions improving at last.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/1/02
Colder conditions are consolidating the old wet snowpack. New 
snow above 800m has formed potentially unstable 
accumulations mainly in sheltered hollows and around the tops 
of summit gullies. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).
Cornices are also unstable and prone to collapse.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/1/02
It will become colder with prolonged sleet and snow overnight
turning to snow showers on Thursday. Strong Northerly winds 
will form areas of windslab at the tops of South-East to
South-West facing slopes and in sheltered summit gully exits
mainly of a Westerly aspect. Where old snow underlies deep fresh
windslab stability will be poor: elsewhere the existing snowpack
will start to re-freeze improving overall conditions. The
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3)

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 750m.   
ICING: None yet but will improve with colder conditions
COMMENT: Light cover of new snow on higher ridges and 
buttresses, some easier gullies thin but climbable.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/1/02
There is new snow above 850 metres which has led to 
superficial cover on most aspects. Deeper accumulations are to 
be found in sheltered locations on W through to E aspects. 
Stability of new deposits is reasonable but where they overlie 
older snow ice on steeper slopes the avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/1/02
Snow arriving on N winds will build fresh deposits on mainly S 
aspects but cross loading into gullies and sheltered locations on 
E aspects will occur. Stability will be poor where new deposits 
continue to build over existing snow ice on steeper ground 
above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable 
(Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Superficial snow cover above 850 
metres. Old snow in high N and E corries.
ICING: High N and E corries have some ice left.
COMMENT:Caution required for cross-loaded gully exits on 24/1/02.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/1/02
Snow showers overnight and during the morning on a relatively 
light South-East wind, has caused areas of soft slab to form in 
gullies and hollows on South-West through North-West to 
North aspects above 800 metres. Temperatures are still fairly 
mild and this new snow has bonded reasonably well with the 
underlying snowpack. Fresh cornices are small but very fragile. 
The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/1/02
Further snowfall on a strong North to North-East wind will 
cause accumulations of unstable windslab to form in sheltered 
gullies and hollows on South-East through South-West to West 
aspects above 800 metres. Conditions will be colder than of late, 
so the consolidation process will be slow. Fortunately these 
aspects have few older snow deposits for new windslab to build
upon, so any fragile areas will be very localised and confined to 
the deeper gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable 
(Category 3).
  

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow down to 600 metres. Still 
fairly sparse.

ICING: Remains poor but is improving with the colder 
conditions.

COMMENT: Nice to be walking through snow again instead of 
driving rain.




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