CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 28/12/02 Once again it has remained mild with the freezing level above the tops and rain at all levels. As there has been no further snowfall only isolated well-bonded patches of old snow survive in hollows above 900 metres. Even the bigger gullies like Easy and Raeburn's are incomplete. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 29/12/02 The freezing level will remain above the summits with rain all levels. This will do little to change the current very sparse snow accumulations. Only isolated well-bonded patches of old snow will persist in hollows above 900 metres. Although the avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1), there will still be a risk from falling ice and rocks from steep cliffs in the area. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Extremely poor. Isolated small patches only above 900 metres. ICING: There are some sorrowful looking remnants in the backs of gullies. Not suitable for climbing. COMMENT: We seek it here, we seek it there, the elusive snowpack is nowhere! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 28/12/02 Light precipitation fell as sleet above 1000 metres today but amounts were insignificant. The patchy snow is firmer than yesterday and 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 SUN 29/12/02 There will be some softening of the surface layers due to increased rainfall and slightly milder temperatures. The remaining snow will be generally well bonded. Largest areas of snow will be found in sheltered locations on NW to NE aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy cover above 1000 metres. ICING: None observed. COMMENT: Thaw conditions continue. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 28/12/02 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 in deep gullies. Slightly cooler conditions have started to firm up the surface of these remaining isolated snow patches. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 29/12/02 Fresh E-SE winds with light rain at all levels will affect the area overnight with more persistent during Sunday afternoon. Snow patches will remain soft and moist. The greatest accumulations of snow will be in sheltered locations on the higher Northerly slopes around the summits and in gullies. The avalanche hazard will remain 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. COMMENT: Falling rocks and ice will remain a hazard during mild spell. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 28/12/02 A dusting of wet fresh snow is present above 1100m. Older snow deposits remain thin and patchy and are restricted to high N and E facing gullies above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 29/12/02 Rain with a freezing level around the summits will see the existing snowpack continue to gradually thaw at all levels. Old snow deposits will be restricted to high N and E facing gullies. Any fresh snowfall will be wet and generally above 1200m. Amounts are not expected to be significant. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remaining thin and patchy above 1000m, nothing below this altitude. ICING: Just freezing at the summit of the Ben today (Saturday) COMMENT: Continuing mild. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 28/12/02 There have been a couple of centimetres of moist snow down to about 950 metres. There has been no new slab buildup in the increasingly sparse snow environment. Pockets of snow up to 2 metres deep do exist in some gully and headwall areas. The snowpack is stable and the avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 29/12/02 More rain is forecast with the freezing level near the tops. There will be little change in snowpack stability except for concern about the glide crack areas that have been previously reported. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Marginal new cover of moist snow on the plateau. ICING: Damage to tools and turf to be expected now. COMMENT: Glide cracks continue to show movement and there is evidence of collapse with potential for more. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------