RE-SEND DUE TO ERROR NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 27/12/02 Very light snow fell above 1100 metres on this third day of Christmas. The snowpack is rain soaked and generally strong. In some areas there is up to 20 centimetres of foot penetration in moist snow but mostly a tough crust supports walkers on the remaining patches. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 28/12/02 The freezing level will stay near the tops. Most precipitation will be rain with North to North-West winds. Snowpack stability will remain good. Cornices are nearly non-existent but where there is steep snow at the top of some gullies it is showing unseasonal glide characteristics. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: We walked across the largest patch in the British Isles and it was a sad sight. ICING: Virtually non-existent compared to the guide book version. COMMENT: Turf is soft and fragile right now. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 27/12/02 There has been little change to the existing snowpack. Main deposits are restricted to high N and E facing gully lines. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 28/12/02 Light rain at all levels is expected over the next 24 hours. Little change will occur to the existing snowpack. Main deposits will remain in high N and E facing gully lines. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main patches restricted to high N and E facing gullies. ICING: Freezing level remaining above the summits. COMMENT: GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 27/12/02 The cover of snow on the hills around Glencoe remains very thin and patchy and is mainly to be found in sheltered areas on the highest Northerly slopes and gullies. Slightly cooler conditions have started to firm up the surface of these remaining snow patches. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 28/12/02 Strong Northerly winds with light rain at all levels will affect the area overnight and during Saturday. Remaining snow patches will be soft and moist. Greatest accumulations of remaining snow will be found in sheltered locations on the higher Northerly slopes and gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patches of snow above 900 metres mainly in sheltered gullies with a Northerly aspect. ICING: Freezing level above tops. Very little ice left COMMENT: Falling rocks and ice will remain a hazard during mild spell. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 27/12/02 There was some new light snowfall above 1050 metres today but in general the thaw conditions continue. The patchy snow is wet but generally well bonded. Largest areas are mainly to be found in sheltered locations on NW to NE aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 28/12/02 Milder temperatures and light rainfall will continue to thaw the remaining patchy snow cover at all levels. Largest areas of snow will be found on NW to NE aspects above 1000 metres. The snow will remain generally well bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover above 1000 metres. ICING: None observed. COMMENT: Thaw conditions continue. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 27/12/02 Despite it being a little colder today with a fresh North-North- East wind there has been no further snowfall even on the highest tops. The only snow that now survives is in isolated well- bonded patches in hollows above 900 metres. Even the bigger gullies such as Easy and Raeburn's are incomplete. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 28/12/02 Although winds will remain North or North-Westerly the freezing level will remain above the summits with no further snowfall. The sparse conditions will continue with only isolated well-bonded patches of old snow persisting in hollows above 900 metres. Although the avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1), there will be a risk of falling ice and rocks from any steep cliffs. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Isolated patches of old only above 900 metres. Easy gullies are incomplete. ICING: There's still some remnants hanging on but forget any climbing. COMMENT: It was difficult to find any snow at all today (27.12.02) in the thick clag on the summits! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------