NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 2/2/02
The South-West winds have continued strong but precipitation 
eased off and only a few snow showers fell above 900 metres.  
The cooling has contributed to reasonable strengthening of the 
snowpack and stability where tested was good.  There is a shear 
on an ice-crust layer but it does not have a critical load. The
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).  

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 3/2/02
A few snow showers are forecast with winds easing and 
temperatures remaining cold.  Some pockets of instability will 
persist in areas above 1000 metres from North to North East 
aspects.  This will be on larger steep slopes with a convex shape 
that have not been stabilized with heavy traffic.  The avalanche 
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover improving above 950 metres 
on all aspects except Southerly and Westerly.
ICING:   Lots of ice on the plateau.
COMMENT:  On some slopes there's still that clean shearing 
buried soft layer on crust lurking around for the unwary.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 2/2/02
A thaw last night followed by cooler conditions during Saturday 
have stabilised the snowpack. Snow-ice is forming on many 
aspects above 800m. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 3/2/02
Light snow showers are expected overnight, clearing to a dry 
day on Sunday. Localised areas of fresh snow will form, mainly 
at the tops of N, NE and E facing slopes and gullies above 
1000m. Any hazard will be confined to these locations. The 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the 
snowpack will be generally stable.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good general cover above 900m.
ICING: Old snow re-freezing at higher elevations.
COMMENT: Winds moderating by Sunday.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 2/2/02
The area has been affected by mild conditions with some rain or
sleet showers at most levels. The snowpack is moist below
950m and some wet snow instabilities exist on the steeper 
slopes. However above 950m the snowpack is drier and 
moderately well bonded. Some cornices are still unstable. The 
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 3/2/02
A trace of new snow is expected during Saturday night: otherwise
it will be a mainly dry day. The very strong SW winds will also
decrease during Saturday night and through Sunday. The wet
snowpack will consolidate above 800m but it will remain generally
moist with any new light deposits of snow adhering well to it.
Some moderately well bonded wet snow will still exist on the
steeper slopes with an N through to E aspect above 850m. In these
locations the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 800m.
ICING: Thawing, some wet ice above 950m.
COMMENT: The higher routes should stay in condition. But it 
will be generally mild-ish.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 2/2/02
Fluctuating temperatures have left the surface layers of the 
snowpack moist at all levels. On NW through to SE aspects 
above 900 metres moderately to weakly bonded layers are 
present in deeper deposits. The avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3). Debris was noted at the foot of 
several Lochnagar gullies.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 3/2/02
A cooler period overnight will re-freeze surface layers before
the freezing level rises to 1200 metres during the day. On NW
through to SE aspects above 900 metres the snowpack will remain
moderately to weakly bonded on steeper slopes. The avalanche
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Remaining cornices
should be treated with caution.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good above 900 metres. Ski touring 
for those willing to carry skis.
ICING: Lean but starting to show potential.  
COMMENT: It's winter above 900 metres!



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 2/2/02
The freezing level dipped low enough last night to cause 
yesterday's wet snowpack to freeze and consolidate. An icy 
crust has developed on top of moderately well bonded hard slab 
with the deepest accumulations in sheltered gullies on North 
through East to South-East aspects above 800 metres. Light 
fresh snow showers over the summits are drifting onto these 
aspects but are generally blowing off on contact with the icy 
surface and have not formed any significant accumulations of 
new windslab. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 3/2/02
Occasional snow showers overnight on a strong South-Westerly 
wind will have little effect on the overall snow conditions. New
windslab will fail to reach any significant depth and will 
continue to blow off the icy surface. Moderately well bonded 
hard slab will persist on sheltered slopes of a North through East 
to South-East aspect above 800 metres. The freezing level will 
also stay around the summits maintaining a breakable, icy crust 
on the surface. The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate 
(Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 700 metres.

ICING: Routes are thin, with poor quality ice at lower altitudes.

COMMENT: There are large cornices above Bellevue Buttress 
and the Inner Coire.




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