LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 22/12/02 Some fresh snowfall overnight has gradually thawed during the day. The old snow patches have also started to gradually thaw at all levels. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 23/12/02 Thaw conditions are expected overnight and during Monday with heavy rain at all levels during Monday. The existing patches of snow will continue to gradually thaw at all levels. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover, mainly in high N and E facing gullies. ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits. COMMENT: Strong winds expected during Monday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 22/12/02 Overnight snow turned to rain leaving a thin cover of wet snow on all aspects above 900 metres. Accumulations remain insignificant. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Easy gullies remain incomplete with only isolated patches remaining after October's snowfall. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 23/12/02 Freezing levels will continue to rise well above the summits during the forecast period. This combined with heavy rain on a gale force South-East wind will further deplete the already sparse cover of thin snow above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). However beware of rock and ice fall from any steep ground. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Sparse above 900 metres. Even the deepest gullies remain incomplete with intermittent snow patches. ICING: Some reasonable ice had formed, about to fall down in thaw. COMMENT: Beware of falling ice and rock from any steep ground. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 22/12/02 The limited snowfall overnight has been quickly followed by rain. Superficial cover is disappearing rapidly with surface layers becoming moist at all levels. In the localised deeper deposits that exist in sheltered areas on NW to NE aspects above 960 metres the moist surface layers are moderately bonded to the colder drier snow beneath. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 23/12/02 Significant thawing of the snowpack will occur tomorrow in heavy rain and severe gale force winds. The remaining snowpack will be generally well bonded. On steeper slopes on NW to NE aspects above 960 metres some localised moderately bonded deposits will exist. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A thin covering on most aspects likely to be significantly affected by forecast rain. ICING: Subject to severe thaw conditions on 23/12/02. COMMENT:Difficult mountain conditions on 23/12/02. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 22/12/02 Rising temperatures have been the main feature of the period. Southerly winds continue with trace new snow amounts on the plateau. Debris from a small avalanche was noted near the Mess of Pottage. There is new slab build up on Northerly aspects above 1000m. A clean shear exists at the base of a new dust discoloured layer. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 23/12/02 Rain over the tops is forecast with South-East winds. The warming cycle will contribute to further settlement of the snowpack. Cornices and glide crack instability will remain a concern. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still complete cover above 1000m. ICING: Starting to thaw at corrie level, some dripping. COMMENT: A mild, damp day tomorrow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 22/12/02 A light cover of new wet snow is lying above 800 metres. Isolated pockets of shallow soft wet slab exist in some sheltered locations at the highest levels. Where these deposits lie on top of older snow mainly around the tops of gullies the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) Elsewhere the snow cover is generally very thin. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 23/12/02 Strong to gale South-Easterly winds and heavy rain on Monday will affect the area. With freezing levels well above the tops much of the existing thin snow cover will melt. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover of wet snow above 800 metres on Sunday. ICING: Ice forming in watercourses and on rocks above 700 metres on Sunday. Freezing level rising to 2000 metres with heavy rain at all levels on Monday COMMENT: Hazard of falling rocks and ice during thaw period. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------