NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 29/12/02
There has been a slight cooling trend overnight to minus 2
degrees at the summit of Cairngorm.  This has tightened up the
surface snow above 950 metres and slowed the rate of glide on
steep exit slopes from gullies.  The snowpack is isothermal and
alternate layers of crust and melt-freeze crystals.  The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 30/12/02
Light snow is forecast with freezing level dropping to 550 
metres.  With moderate winds from the South-East some small 
pockets of slab will develop on Northerly slopes above 1000 
metres, particularly the exit slopes from gullies.  The snowpack 
stability will remain good.  The avalanche hazard will be Low 
(Category 1).  


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Main gullies are being climbed on 
snow avoiding the bare rock sections.
ICING: The biggest new ice accumulations appear to be the 
rain frozen to rocks.
COMMENT:  Even at higher elevation the ground and turf 
remain mostly soft.

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 29/12/02
Existing patches of old snow have refrozen at all levels. 
Snowpack stability is good. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 30/12/02
Slightly warmer temperatures and light rain at all levels are 
expected overnight and during Monday. There will be little 
change to the existing stable patchy snow cover. The avalanche 
hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover above 1000m, mainly 
on N and E aspects.
ICING: Extensive riming above 1000m on all aspects during 
Sunday.
COMMENT: Warming slightly on Monday.
 


GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 29/12/02
There is not enough snow to warrant any avalanche hazard. The 
snow cover is limited to isolated patches above 940m. These 
exist mainly in sheltered areas on the highest Northerly slopes 
and in deep gullies. Slightly cooler conditions have started to 
firm up the surface of these snow patches.  The avalanche 
hazard is Low (Category 1)
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 30/12/02
Strong E-SE winds with rain at all levels will affect the area 
overnight and during Monday with the freezing level remaining 
well above the summits. 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. No ice!
COMMENT: No winter climbing conditions. 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 29/12/02
A slightly cooler day that has left the patchy snow firm 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 MON 30/12/02
After overnight rain there will be some snow during the day 
above 900 metres. Although this will be light subsequent 
drifting will lead to new localised accumulations forming in 
sheltered locations on NW to NE aspects above 900 metres. On 
steeper slopes where accumulations achieve reasonable depth 
over existing snow patches stability will be marginal. The 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy cover above 1000 
metres.
ICING: None observed.
COMMENT: New snowfall will be light.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 29/12/02
Although a little drier today it has remained mild with the 
freezing level above the summits. Only isolated well-bonded 
patches of snow remain in hollows above 900 metres, with even 
the bigger gullies like Easy and Raeburn's incomplete. The 
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 30/12/02
Despite it becoming colder with sleet showers over the summits 
driven on a fresh to strong South-East wind, there will be little 
change to the current sparse snow conditions. Isolated well-
bonded patches of snow will persist in hollows above 900 
metres, with sleet doing nothing more than enhancing the wintry 
appearance of the hills. The avalanche hazard will remain Low 
(Category 1).
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Extremely poor. Isolated small areas 
only above 900 metres.

ICING: Very poor, certainly none for climbing

COMMENT: Becoming a little colder.
 



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