NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/12/02
There were mostly clear skies with a slight rise in temperature 
and increased winds from the South.  The soft slab instability 
previously reported did not show shear characteristics where 
sampled.  The surface hoar layer lies buried in some places just 
below the surface crust on various aspects above 1000m.  The 
avalanche hazard is Low (Category1).     

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/12/02
Another dry day is forecast with light Southerly winds.  Some 
cornices will build on North aspect but the snowpack will 
remain stable.  The buried surface hoar will not have enough 
new load to be a concern. The avalanche hazard will be Low 
(Category 1).  


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Complete cover on the plateau, 
some gullies require more snow to be 'banked out'.
ICING:  Thin in places. 
COMMENT: The extreme challenge right now is to walk the 
Corrie track at a guides rhythm and pace with your hands in 
your pockets - very slippery.

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/12/02
The continuing cold and dry conditions have had little effect on 
the 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 FRI 20/12/02
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 THU 19/12/02
A light cover of snow remains above 900 metres mainly on 
Northerly aspects. 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 FRI 20/12/02
Dry and cold with moderate 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 snow will 
remain at the highest levels in sheltered locations. 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. Build up is still fairly thin but is becoming more 
extensive and may yield some sport for those willing to hunt. 
COMMENT: Another superb day for the hill expected with the 
dry and calm conditions continuing during Friday. 



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/12/02
Snow cover remains thin on most aspects with some limited 
drifting in strengthening winds occurring. Stability has 
improved in deeper deposits found on NW through to NE 
aspects above 960 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/12/02
Another cool day will ensure there will be little change. The 
snowpack will remain generally well bonded at all levels. 
Deeper deposits will be found on NW through to NE aspects 
above 960 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 
1). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A thin covering on most aspects, 
deeper in sheltered locations. 
ICING: Variable quality from 900 metres, watercourses offer 
the best possibilities although water is still running in many 
locations.
COMMENT: Climbing remains lean.
 


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/12/02
The superb weather has continued. It has remained cold with 
light variable winds and no further snowfall. Snow cover 
remains extremely thin with only a dusting of snow above 900
metres. Easy gullies are mostly incomplete with only isolated 
patches of well-frozen old snow from the October falls. The 
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/12/02
It will remain cold and relatively calm with no further snowfall. 
A light covering of snow will persist on all aspects above 900 
metres, with accumulations remaining so slight as not to 
constitute a hazard. Isolated patches of old snow in the beds of 
deeper gullies will remain well frozen and solid. The avalanche 
hazard will remain Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very thin cover above 900 metres.
ICING: There's some climbable ice in some of the higher side 
coires. Coire Ardair is not so good.
COMMENT: Another fine day. Beware of low flying Golden 
Eagles in Coire nan Gall!




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