NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/3/02
It was a mild day with maximum temperature nearly 1 degree at 
the summit with rain in the afternoon. The middle and deeper 
snowpack has good stability.  The moist surface snow has loose 
snow avalanche charateristics but no evidence of sluffing was 
observed.  The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).  
  
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/3/02
There will be a return to cooler conditions with snow overnight, 
easing during the day.  The winds from the North-East and later 
North-West will deposit new slab on Southerly aspects above 
900 metres.  This new slab will not alter the stability of the 
deeper snowpack.  The avalanche hazard will be Moderate 
(Category 2).  


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The plateau is surviving the melt 
back.

ICING: The cooling forecast is just in time.    

COMMENT:  Localised and variable aspect cornices
look rather weak.  




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/3/02
The mild conditions have continued with only light traces of 
fresh snow above 1100m. Snow stability is generally good on all 
aspects with the snowpack continuing to gradually thaw. Some 
wet surface instabilities are present but are generally restricted 
to the steepest slopes and gullies. The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2). Remaining cornices prone to collapse.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/3/02
Colder conditions will move into the forecast area from the 
North over the next 24hrs. Light amounts of snow and N winds
will form shallow areas of soft slab on SE, S and SW aspects, 
although amounts are not expected to be significant. Any 
remaining wet snow instabilities will stabilise. The avalanche 
hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Becoming patchy, still good in N 
and E facing corries.

ICING: Still good on many of the higher routes.

COMMENT: Return to colder conditions should see things 
improve. 



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/3/02
Overnight rain with sleet at higher levels has given way to a 
bright dry day. The snowpack initially firmer above 900m has 
become soft and moist in most locations. Stability was found to 
be good on all but the steepest slopes and gullies where surface 
wet snow instabilities remain. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1). Cornices remain prone to collapse. 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/3/02
Cooler conditions for the period will aid consolidation of the 
existing snowpack with an icy crust forming at higher levels. 
Light snow will fall above 800m overnight with the possibility 
of the odd shower during the course of the day. Light Northerly 
winds will form isolated pockets of windslab around the tops of 
all sheltered gullies and in hollows mainly of a Southerly aspect. 
Accumulations are not expected to be extensive or of any 
significant depth and should generally be avoidable. The 
avalanche hazard in these areas will be Moderate (Category 2); 
elsewhere the snowpack will be stable.   

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500m.

ICING: Will start to re-form on higher slopes overnight.

COMMENT: Cold calm and dry for Tuesday should give a 
reasonable day for the hill. Cornices will remain weak. 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/3/02
The thaw has continued for another 24-hour period with the 
freezing level remaining around 1200 metres. The majority of 
the snowpack is soft and wet but relatively stable. In the deeper 
deposits that mostly exist on N to E aspects above 900 metres 
drier moderately bonded snow has survived the thaw. The 
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/3/02
It will turn colder overnight with some light snow forecast. The 
wet snowpack will start to refreeze and a firm crust should be 
present by morning. New deposits will be light and should not 
drift heavily in the moderate NW winds. Where deposits do 
accumulate over a snow-ice base on steeper ground the 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy below 900 metres.

ICING: Thawing today but turning colder tonight.

COMMENT: Expect firmer conditions underfoot and water ice 
on paths tomorrow.
 


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/3/02
It has remained very mild with no further snowfall. The 
snowpack is wet and soft at the surface but relatively well 
bonded and stable on all aspects. Of more concern than the 
stability of snow slopes is the risk of cornice collapse with the 
freezing level well above the summits (+3.7 c at 900 metres). Ice 
is also collapsing particularly from the more exposed areas such 
as Pinnacle Buttress. The avalanche hazard is Moderate 
(Category 2).
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/3/02
With a return to colder weather the remaining underlying 
snowpack will freeze and consolidate on all aspects. However 
light snow showers on a moderate and variable Northerly wind 
will cause shallow and isolated areas of fresh windslab to form 
in the most sheltered of hollows on East to South aspects above 
900 metres. These areas of fresh windslab will be very localised 
and easily avoidable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate 
(Category 2).  


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 600 metres on 
North to South-East aspects.

ICING: Still fairly good in the gullies. Unfortunately the more 
exposed ice on Pinnacle Buttress has gone.

COMMENT: Getting colder again. Take a day off work and get
yourself up there! 




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