NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 18/12/02 The weather for the day included clear skies, slightly warming afternoon temperatures and very light winds. Surface hoar identified yesterday on the surface was, in places, buried under a very thin crust on Southerly aspects above 1000m. The stable weather has contributed to little change in pockets of soft slab instability on Northerly aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 19/12/02 Another fine day is forecast. The isolated pockets of soft slab instability on Northerly aspects and newly buried surface hoar on Southerly aspects, both above 1000m will be the main features for consideration. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Complete cover above 1000m. ICING: Early season amounts of good quality ice. COMMENT: Keep an eye on the buried surface hoar. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 18/12/02 Cold, dry conditions overnight have had little effect on the existing snowpack. A light dusting of snow and surface rime exist 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 THU 19/12/02 The cold and dry conditions are expected to continue overnight and during Thursday. Little change is expected to the current snowpack. Old snow patches will remain in high gully lines with a N and E aspect. Surface rime will persist on slopes 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 WED 18/12/02 A light cover of snow is lying above 900 metres. Isolated pockets of shallow soft snow exist in some sheltered locations at the highest levels. These deposits are not significant and are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 19/12/02 Dry weather with fresh variable winds for the forecast period will bring little change to the condition or extent of coverage of 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. Coverage is still fairly thin but is becoming more extensive. May yield some sport for those willing to hunt. COMMENT: Another superb day for the hill today with the dry and calm conditions continuing during Thursday. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 18/12/02 The settled conditions have allowed the widespread development of surface hoar to continue. Snow cover remains thin on most aspects. Localised areas of moderately bonded snow exist in steeper, sheltered locations on NW through to NE aspects above 960 metres. These areas are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 19/12/02 There will be little change to the current situation with the fine settled weather continuing. On NW through to NE aspects above 960 metres localised areas of moderately bonded snow will be found in steeper sheltered locations. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A thin covering on most aspects, deeper in sheltered locations. ICING: Variable quality from 900 metres. COMMENT:Creag an Dubh-Loch is only superficially white. Eagles Rock is starting to form useful ice. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 18/12/02 A light West-South-West wind with the freezing level fluctuating about the summits has caused little change to present conditions with a light dusting of fresh snow still existing on all aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 19/12/02 The fine weather will continue with no further snowfall and variable light winds. Summit temperatures will continue to be below freezing and the light dusting of snow above 900 metres will still be present. Snow amounts will remain so slight as not to constitute a hazard. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover above 900 metres. No base exists even in deeper gullies. ICING: Main routes still incomplete. However there is some playable ice in some of the more obscure Coires. COMMENT: Yet another fine day wandering the hills in search of snow! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------