NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 17/12/02 It was a beautiful day on the plateau above the morning inversion layer in the Spey valley. Areas of surface hoar noted on various aspects at all elevations with snow. Snowpack stability generally good with isolated pockets of soft slab that are a concern on steep unsupported terrain. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 18/12/02 It will be a mostly dry and sunny day on the hill. Surface hoar growth will continue in very light wind conditions. The snowpack stability will remain good except for isolated pockets of soft slab. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good ski conditions above 1000m on selected slopes. ICING: Not extensive but workable. COMMENT: It'll be interesting to watch what happens to the surface hoar layer. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 17/12/02 Cold, dry conditions overnight have little changed the existing snowpack. A light dusting of snow and surface rime exists above 900m. Old hard snow is present in high gully lines with N and E aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 18/12/02 A light trace of snow overnight will not significantly affect the existing snowpack. Old snow deposits will remain in high N and E facing gullies. A light dusting of fresh snow and surface rime will be present, mainly above 900m. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light dusting of snow above 900m ICING: Freezing at all levels, large areas of water ice present on paths and open slopes. Routes are remaining thin, if present. COMMENT: Continuing cold and dry. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 17/12/02 A light cover of snow is lying above 900 metres. Isolated pockets of shallow soft slab exist 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 WED 18/12/02 Fresh North-Westerly winds with a trace of new snow above 300 metres overnight will not alter the condition or extent of coverage of the snow on the hill. Pockets of shallow soft slab will remain at the highest levels in areas sheltered from the prevailing wind. These deposits will not be significant and will generally be avoidable. Elsewhere snow cover is very thin. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover above 900 metres ICING: Ice forming in watercourses and on rocks above 700 metres. COMMENT: Dry calm and cold conditions during Wednesday. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 17/12/02 Snow cover is generally thin on most aspects with just a trace of fresh snow falling overnight. Cold and calm conditions have led to the widespread development of surface hoar. Localised areas of moderately bonded snow are to be found in sheltered locations on NW through to NE aspects above 960 metres. Some older cornices exist here. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 18/12/02 It will continue to be cold with very little new snowfall. On NW through to NE aspects above 960 metres stability will remain moderate in deeper accumulations on steeper slopes. These localised areas will be generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). A few older cornices are to found above NW aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A covering on most aspects, deeper in sheltered locations. ICING: Variable quality from 900 metres. COMMENT: Lochnagar routes are lean, approach through boulders hard work. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 17/12/02 A dry, cold Easterly airflow has covered the region with no further snowfall. Despite the wind slowly swinging round to the North-West, there is only a thin dusting of snow above 900 metres. With no drifting in the calm conditions, accumulations are so slight that the avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 18/12/02 Although there will be a trace of new snow on a light North- West wind, it will cause little change to the current frugal snow conditions. A dusting of fresh snow will remain on all aspects above 900 metres, with scattered, well-frozen patches of old snow from the October snowfalls. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover above 900 metres. Even easier gullies are incomplete. ICING: There are some excellent icefalls in some of the higher side coires. The main routes of Coire Ardair are mostly incomplete. COMMENT: One of the best days we've had on Creag Meagaidh. Superb views above the cloud inversion. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------