LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/12/02 A light dusting of snow exists above 1000m. Some old hard snow is also present in high gully lines on N and E aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/12/02 Cold dry conditions are expected to continue for the next 24 hours. Little change is expected to the existing stable snowpack. Old snow deposits will remain in some high N and E facing gullies. A light dusting of fresh snow will remain above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light dusting of fresh snow above 1000m. ICING: Freezing at all levels with areas of water ice forming on many paths and open slopes. COMMENT: Continuing cold and dry. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/12/02 Cold temperatures and very light snowfall on a light North-East wind, has left a dusting of fresh snow above 900 metres. Early season accumulations are very thin with West facing slopes holding the most snow. However, even the bigger gullies such as Easy Gully and Raeburn's are almost bare with no base. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/12/02 It will remain dry with no further snowfall. This coupled with light Easterly winds will make little difference to the existing snow conditions. Light snow will still be found above 900 metres, particularly on West facing slopes. Accumulations of snow will remain insignificant, therefor the avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light dusting above 900 metres. ICING There's plenty on the path, however on the cliffs, ice is only beginning to form. Not enough for climbing. COMMENT: Nice walking conditions. Forget the climbing and skiing for a while. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/12/02 A light cover of snow is lying above 750 metres. Cold Easterly winds have formed pockets of shallow soft slab in sheltered locations mainly with a South-West to North-West aspect at the highest levels. These deposits are not significant and are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/12/02 Cold dry conditions with moderate North-Easterly winds will affect the area overnight and through Monday. No change is expected to occur to the condition of the snow. Pockets of shallow soft slab will remain at the highest levels in sheltered areas on South-West to North-West slopes. These deposits will not be significant and will generally be avoidable. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover above 750 metres ICING: Ice forming in watercourses above 550 metres. Rime forming above 700 metres on buttresses and ridges exposed to the cold North-Easterly airflow COMMENT: Cold dry outlook should give favourable conditions, but we could do with more snow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/12/02 There is a wintry appearance but snow cover is generally shallow on most aspects. Deeper areas are to be found in sheltered locations, gully exits and corrie rims on NE to E aspects above 960 metres and are marginally unstable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Cornices have developed over these aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/12/02 Cooler conditions will continue. There will be a little new snow from valley level but this will not be significant. The deeper areas of snow in sheltered locations on NE to E aspects above 960 metres will remain moderately bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light covering on most aspects with deepest areas on NE and E aspects above 970 metres. ICING: Variable quality from 950 metres. Some burns still running at 1000 metres. COMMENT: Climbing remaining lean, more depth for skiing required. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/12/02 Cool temperatures have prevailed for the past week and winds have been light to moderate from the North-East to South-East. There are pockets of soft slab at highest elevations on Northerly aspects and some fragile cornice formation. The deeper snowpack stability is good. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/12/02 Cool temperatures will continue with light snow and Easterly winds. Pockets of soft slab instability will continue to exist in some Northerly aspects above 1000m. The deeper snowpack stability will remain good. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Gullies are filled in; thinly near the bottom with over one metre in lee locations towards the top. ICING: Generally thin but building. COMMENT: Scottish Avalanche Information Service reporting for first day of duty today. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------