NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 9/1/03
Trace to light amounts of snow with Northerly winds have not 
added significant new load but the firm slab is more widespread 
by aspect and still sits on a cold, low density layer on North, 
South and West aspects above 1000m. This shears easily at the 
snow profile site but did not propagate where tested and skied.  
The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 10/1/03
Light snow is forecast with winds continuing from the North 
quarter.  There will be slight warming but not enough to 
strengthen the very soft low density layer under the firm slab.  
This will continue to be a potential failure plane on North, South 
and West aspects above 1000m, particularly in steep convex 
terrain.  The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 
3).    


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Not easy skiing or walking either. 
ICING: Some wet ice but much improved. 
COMMENT:  Cornice growth noted above mainly W aspects.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 9/1/03
Isolated and avoidable shallow deposits of windslab remain, 
mainly at the top of W aspects. A thin dusting of snow exists on 
many aspects above 650m. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 10/1/03
Light amounts of snow with a N becoming NW wind by Friday 
will little affect the existing snowpack. Shallow deposits of
fresh snow will start to form at the top of SE to S aspects, 
amounts are not expected to be significant. Isolated and 
avoidable shallow deposits of windslab will remain, mainly at 
the top of W aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Low 
(Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remaining limited, a dusting from 
650m. Main accumulations in high N facing gullies.
ICING: Becoming warmer, freezing level around 600m on 
Friday.
COMMENT:



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 9/1/03
It was a milder day with some snow disappearing below 500m
although the ground is still frozen above 300m. The general snow
cover is still very thin and limited. Some deeper areas of snow
exist above 900m: these are mainly in sheltered areas and on the
higher Northerly slopes and in deep gullies. However, there is
not enough snow to create an avalanche hazard. Water ice is still
present in streambeds with verglas on rocks and paths.  The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 10/1/03
It will remain dry with light to moderate Northerly winds and the
freezing slowly rising.  The sparse snowpack will remain stable.
The greatest accumulations of snow will be in sheltered locations
but mainly on slopes with a northerly aspect above 900m. The
avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1) with ice on rocks
and paths.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 300m. Deeper areas of 
snow above 900 metres mainly in sheltered gullies with a 
Northerly aspect.

ICING: Freezing level becoming 550m.

COMMENT: Buttresses and ridges offer some reasonable 
winter climbing conditions. Most gullies are still very thin. 
Several water ice routes have formed.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 9/1/03
There has been very little new snow but strong winds are 
stripping windward slopes of loose snow. Weakly bonded 
redistributed deposits are accumulating in sheltered locations on 
mainly S to W aspects from around 800 metres. Moderately 
bonded snow is still present in deeper deposits on steeper slopes 
on S through to N aspects. The avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 10/1/03
Only a trace of new snow and fresh winds are expected for the 
area. There will be some settling of the snowpack in the slightly 
milder temperatures but moderately to weakly bonded windslab 
will still be found in sheltered locations on S to W aspects 
above around 800 metres. Moderately bonded layers will exist 
in deeper deposits on S through to N aspects. The avalanche 
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).  


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover from valley level.
ICING: Generally lean and steep. Both Eagles Rock and Broad 
Cairn Bluffs are holding useful ice.
COMMENT: Remoter areas still require trail breaking!



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 9/1/03
Despite a trace of fresh snow last night it has mostly stayed cold 
and dry. Snow cover remains thin above 700 metres and 
although some snow was blowing around on a fresh Northerly 
wind, deep deposits are difficult to find. Due to the existing 
snow being very dry and granular it has tended to end up in 
hollows on flat ground at lower altitudes. The avalanche hazard 
is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 10/1/03
It will remain cold and relatively calm with no further snowfall. 
This will cause little change to the current sparse snow 
conditions. Snow cover will remain thin above 700 metres with 
isolated pockets of soft snow in hollows, predominantly on 
Southerly aspects. Snow depth will remain insignificant with 
even the bigger gullies like Easy and Raeburn's incomplete and 
rocky. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin above 700 metres. Some 
pockets of soft snow in hollows.

ICING: Still not quite there on the established routes. There are 
plenty of fun icefalls to play on though.

COMMENT: Only -2 C on top today. We're only 3 degrees
from complete grass cover!
 



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