NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 23/12/02
Rain has soaked the top layer of the snowpack up to 5 
centimetres down.  Below that a reasonably strong snowpack 
exists.  There are still areas above 1000m where over 2 metres 
of snow lies on the ground and given the unpredictability of
rain triggered avalanches the avalanche hazard is Moderate 
(Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 24/12/02
More rain and strong Southerly winds are forecast.  The areas of 
deeper snowpack will have good stability while areas of shallow 
snowpack will have fair stability.  The avalanche hazard will be 
Moderate (Category 2).  


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Rain soaked surface. 
ICING:  Source material available but it's running away.
COMMENT:  Not a pretty winter sight.

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 23/12/02
Thaw conditions overnight and during Monday have reduced the 
snowpack at all levels. Older deposits of the October snowfall 
are the main remaining areas, and are generally restricted to high 
N and E facing gullies. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 
1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 24/12/02
The current mild conditions are set to continue during the 
forecast period. Rain with the freezing level above the summits 
will see the existing snowpack continue to thaw at all levels 
over the next 24hrs. The avalanche hazard will be Low 
(Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Limited, restricted to high N and E 
facing gullies.
ICING: Thawing at all levels today (Monday).
COMMENT: Remaining mild and windy. Hazard of rock and 
ice fall in the thaw conditions.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 23/12/02
Mild and wet conditions have saturated and reduced the 
snowpack. Cover is now very thin on the highest slopes and 
non-existent on the lower slopes. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 24/12/02
Strong to gale South-Easterly winds and rain at all levels 
overnight and through Tuesday will continue to affect the area. 
With freezing levels well above the tops any remaining snow 
patches which will mainly be found in the higher sheltered 
gullies will be soft and moist. The avalanche hazard will be Low 
(Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 900 metres mainly 
in sheltered gullies with a Northerly aspect.
ICING: Thawing ice above 900 metres but disappearing fast. 
Freezing level well above tops with rain at all levels. 
COMMENT: Hazard of falling rocks and ice during thaw 
period. Debris noted below crags today (23/12/02)



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 23/12/02
It was another wet and windy day with rain falling at summit 
level. The remaining snow is wet and soft throughout but there 
has been an improvement in stability. The snowpack is generally 
shallow but deeper areas can be found on NW to NE aspects 
above 960 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 24/12/02
The thaw will continue with the freezing level over the summits 
and further rain forecast. Remaining snow will be wet and soft 
at all levels with deepest areas on NW to NE aspects above 960 
metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). Any 
remaining cornices will be prone to collapse.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet at all levels.
ICING: Thawing at all levels, collapses on vertical sections 
possible.
COMMENT: Thaw conditions will continue.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 23/12/02
A very mild day with the freezing temperatures well above the 
summits. This combined with rain on a strong South-East wind 
has depleted existing light snow cover almost completely. Some 
isolated patches of snow still remain from October snowfall but 
even these are shrinking fast. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 24/12/02
It will remain unseasonably mild throughout forecast period 
with high amounts of rain at all levels on a strong to gale force 
South-East wind. Only very isolated patches of wet, soft snow 
will be present in sheltered hollows and the deepest of gullies 
above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 
1). Falling rock and ice will remain a hazard as mild conditions 
persist.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Only isolated patches from October 
snowfall still remain. All gully lines are incomplete.
ICING: A little still managing to hang on, but very fragile and 
running with water.
COMMENT: Beware of falling ice and rocks from any steep 
ground.




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