NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 16/1/03
The winds have continued strongly from the Westerly quarter.  
These winds have deposited small pockets of snow on Easterly 
aspects above 1000 metres.  Some terrain with a Northerly 
aspect has been crossloaded with this same small slab. Where 
this sits on snow/ice surface it gives a clean shear.  The 
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 17/1/03
Rain over the tops will be followed by cooling. This will not 
significantly alter snow stability.  The areas of slab instability 
will be easily recognized and avoidable.  The slab will be on 
North and East aspects above 1000 metres.  
The extent across and down slope of this slab is quite limited.  
The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Still patches observed on plateau.
ICING: A few little pieces remain, mostly liquid.
COMMENT: Rockfall more likely in the thaw.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 16/1/03
Mild conditions and rain during Thursday are quickly thawing 
the existing snowpack. The sparse snow cover remains thin and 
wet at all levels. Above 1200m loose deposits of hail and snow 
are present in localised areas, with greatest accumulations in N 
and E facing gullies. The avalanche hazard is Moderate 
(Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 17/1/03
The current mild conditions with strong SW winds will continue 
overnight and into Friday. The existing wet snowpack will 
continue to thaw until colder conditions move into the forecast 
area later on Friday, with rain being replaced by snow. Shallow 
accumulations will start to form on N through E aspects and will 
be restricted to where they overlie older snow patches. Amounts 
are not expected to be significant. The avalanche hazard will be 
Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thawing fast today (Thursday). 
Sparse, patchy and restricted to above 800m.
ICING: Becoming colder later on Friday.
COMMENT: Remaining windy.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 16/1/03
A very light cover of wet snow is lying in sheltered locations 
above 850 metres. South-Westerly winds have formed some
slightly deeper accumulations in the higher gullies and around 
the tops of North to East facing slopes. These deposits are not 
extensive and are generally avoidable The avalanche hazard is 
Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 17/1/03
Mild conditions with heavy rain at all levels overnight will 
reduce the current limited snow cover leaving only patches of 
old snow high up in gullies and corries of a North to East 
aspect. Slightly cooler conditions later on Friday will bring sleet 
showers to the highest tops. These showers will have no 
significant effect on the avalanche hazard which will remain
Low (Category 1)   

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover of wet snow above 
850m in sheltered Northern and Eastern corries. 
ICING:  No ice at present. 
COMMENT: Getting colder on Friday. 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 16/1/03
With the freezing level at 1200 metres snow cover is once again 
becoming patchy. Shallower recent deposits are wet and of 
uniform density. Localised areas of deeper drifted deposits exist 
in sheltered locations on N to E aspects. These deposits remain 
layered and are moderately to weakly bonded on steeper slopes 
especially where they overlie snow ice patches. The avalanche 
hazard is Considerable (Category 3). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 17/1/03
Heavy rain and a freezing level of 2000 metres will create a 
period of instability overnight affecting recent drifted deposits 
on N to E aspects. The remaining patchy snow cover will be wet 
but generally stable by morning as temperatures begin to lower. 
Surface layers may begin to firm up above 1000 metres in the 
afternoon and some light sleet is expected. The avalanche 
hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Limited patchy cover.
ICING: Thawing at all levels today. 
COMMENT: Difficult mountain conditions overnight.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 16/1/03
Last night it continued to snow for a time before the freezing 
level rose well above the summits and snow turned to rain. 
Snow was driven onto lee slopes of a North to East aspect 
leaving fairly deep drifts on the edge of steep slopes above 800 
metres. Unfortunately this new snow is rapidly melting again, 
leaving accumulations of moderately well bonded wet snow in 
North to East facing gullies. The avalanche hazard is Moderate 
(Category 2).
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 17/1/03
With further heavy rain and South-West winds gusting to 90 
mph the recent snowfalls will deplete further. Deep deposits of 
saturated wet snow will still line the edges of steep coires of a 
North to East aspect above 800 metres, with shallower wet snow 
in the very tops of gullies. Later in the period it will become a 
little colder which will help to stabilise these recent deposits. 
The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy wet snow above 700 metres. 

ICING: There isn't any!

COMMENT: It's a pity the word 'splodge' isn't in the 
avalanche vocabulary, because that's the best way to describe 
our current snow cover!
 



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