NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 20/12/02 Moderately strong Southerly winds eased during the night while temperatures remained cool. There have been no measurable amounts of new snow. Larger accumulations of snow above 1000m are up to two metres deep but downslope this rapidly diminishes to 20-40 centimetres. The snowpack is well bonded and stable where sampled. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 21/12/02 A few snow showers are forecast. This will not change the snowpack stability which will remain good. Some areas still have buried surface hoar: this is near the surface under a crust. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Complete cover on the plateau, thin in areas but skiable slopes available. ICING: Also thin but reasonable for the time of year. COMMENT: A well known climber who wishes to remain anonymous considers that the harder climbs are on grade: the moderate climbs may be a touch harder. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 20/12/02 Gradually rising temperatures are starting to soften the existing snowpack at lower elevations. Above 900m the snowpack remains well bonded and generally stable. High gullies with N and E aspects hold the greatest accumulations The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 21/12/02 Little change is expected in the next 24hrs. A trace of light snow above 600m overnight will not significantly effect the existing snowpack. The snowpack will remain well bonded and generally stable, with greatest accumulations in high N and E facing gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remaining thin. Best cover in No3, 2, Tower Gully and Gardyloo Gully above 1000m ICING: Still remaining lean. Mixed routes on Aonach Mor seeing ascents. COMMENT: Garadh Gully and Waterfall Gully looking complete but lean, not much else about on the Ben though. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 20/12/02 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 SAT 21/12/02 A trace of new snow will fall above 500 metres overnight followed by dry conditions with fresh South-Easterly winds during Saturday. Little change will occur to the condition or extent of coverage of snow on the hill. Pockets of shallow soft snow will form 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 giving some slick conditions underfoot. Build up is still fairly thin but is becoming more extensive and may yield some sport for those willing to hunt. COMMENT: Winds freshening during Saturday SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 20/12/02 Snow cover remains thin on most aspects with deeper deposits being found in sheltered locations on NW to NE aspects above 960 metres. The snowpack is generally well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 21/12/02 There will be little change to the current situation with no precipitation forecast for the area. The snowpack will remain generally well bonded at all levels. Deeper deposits will be found in sheltered locations on NW 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 FRI 20/12/02 It has remained cold and dry with light variable winds and no further snowfall. Snow cover remains thin with only a dusting at altitudes above 900 metres. Easy gullies remain mostly incomplete with only isolated patches of old well-frozen snow remaining from snowfall in October. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 21/12/02 Overnight light snow on variable winds will further add to the light cover of existing snow on all aspects above 800 metres. During the day moderate South-East winds will form shallow isolated deposits mainly on West to North aspects above 800 metres. Snow amounts will continue to be insignificant. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very light dusting above 900 metres. ICING: Some good ice in some of the higher side Coires. Not so good in Coire Ardair as most is frozen at source. COMMENT: A little more snow overnight, but still not enough. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------