LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 20/3/02
Localised shallow surface instabilities are present on many steep 
aspects. Below 1150m, this surface snow is wet and the surface 
instabilities extend to lower altitudes. Elsewhere the snowpack 
is generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 
2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 21/3/02
Some light snowfall is expected overnight and during Thursday 
with light winds. Snowpack stability will remain generally good. 
Localised surface instabilities will be present on many steep 
aspects, mainly above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be 
Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General cover remains above 800m. 
Wet snow below 1100m.
ICING: Freezing level expected to lower overnight.
COMMENT: Many ice routes still receiving ascents.



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CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 20/3/02
The snowpack is generally well bonded and stable on all 
aspects. Winds have been light and variable with light snowfall 
above 800 metres. Most aspects have fresh snow cover and 
isolated moderately bonded windslab deposits are present but 
easily avoided above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 21/3/02
Light and occasional snow showers on a light North-East wind. 
Shallow isolated moderately bonded windslab deposits will 
form on South to West aspects above 900 metres. These 
deposits will affect only the deepest of hollows and will be 
easily avoided. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate 
(Category 2)


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow down to 700 metres.
ICING: Very good where exposed, a lot still buried though. 
COMMENT: Main gullies complete, open faces stripped.



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GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 20/3/02
A light dusting of snow fell overnight above 650m, no 
significant build up or drifting was found during observations to 
day. The underlying older snowpack is generally firm above 
700m with some softening occurring as the day progressed. 
Stability was found to be good on all but the steepest slopes and 
gullies where shallow wet snow instabilities remain. The 
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Cornices remain prone to 
collapse. 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 21/3/02
Precipitation will fall as light snow overnight becoming 
moderate rain or sleet at all levels as temperatures rise early 
Thursday morning. Wet snow instabilities will exist on the 
steepest of slopes mainly in sheltered gullies and on North-West 
to Easterly aspects. In these areas the avalanche hazard will be 
Moderate (Category 2). Cornices will remain prone to collapse 
and should be carefully considered when route planning; 
elsewhere the snowpack will become soft and moist but will 
generally be stable.      

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500m.
ICING: Highest routes only
COMMENT: Milder conditions for Thursday with freezing 
levels at 1100 metres. Highest routes offer best hope for 
climbing. Wet snow instabilities on route exits.


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NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 20/3/02
It was a bright clear morning with cloud and very light snow 
moving in during the day.  Winds for snow transport were 
insignificant.  For a period of about one hour numerous loose 
snow avalanches occurred.  These were on North and West 
aspect above 1000 metres.  The avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 21/3/02

Temperatures will remain well below freezing for the forecast 
period.  Winds will be light from the North- East with some 
snow showers. The deeper snowpack has very good stability.  
The loose surface snow instability will persist.  The avalanche 
hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Good plateau ski touring on all but 
some West aspects.
ICING: Wet ice and rock in places but still reasonable for the 
area. 
COMMENT:  In the current conditions, rapid temperature 
change and direct sun will produce loose snow avalanches. 


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SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 20/3/02
It has remained cool with some snow showers. The snowpack 
remains generally well bonded with isolated areas of 
unconsolidated snow on most aspects above 900 metres. These 
are generally shallow but where they are at their deepest and 
overlie snow-ice on steeper slopes the avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 21/3/02
It will continue to be cold with some light snow showers 
overnight but then the freezing level will rise to around 900 
metres early morning. Above this level there will be little 
change to the snowpack with the deepest new snow to be found 
on SW to NW aspects. On lower altitudes there will be 
consolidation in softer deposits. Where deeper deposits form 
over snow-ice on steeper ground above 900 metres the 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy below 900 metres. Deepest 
on N and E aspects.
ICING: Has improved in the colder conditions.
COMMENT: Freezing level will be around 900 metres. 


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