NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 18/1/03
Stormy conditions have deposited small isolated patches of slab 
on East aspects above 1000 metres. Instabilities were noted in 
this slab on an underlying softer layer. A cornice was easily 
triggered on this aspect at 1100 metres. Otherwise the limited 
snowpack is stable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable 
(Category 3). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 19/1/03
Fresh winds from the South-West will carry sleet overnight. 
During the day conditons will be drier with little precipitation 
and winds veering to the North West. This will continue the 
build up of slab on all East aspects above 1100 metres. The 
instabilities from the previous day will still be present in 
localized areas. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable 
(Category 3)


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy above 1000m, some easy 
gullies still complete.
ICING: Limited ice craft areas still available.
COMMENT: Recent rockfalls in several Northern Corries 
gullies.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 18/1/03
Significant new snow accumulations are generally restricted to 
both above and below the main climbing crags on N and E 
aspects. This snow is moderately well bonded to any underlying 
older snow patches. The avalanche hazard is Moderate 
(Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 19/1/03
Slightly warmer temperatures overnight will have little effect on 
the existing snowpack. The main new snow accumulations will 
remain above and below the main climbing crags. The 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying above 700m.
ICING: Ice reforming on many aspects above 800m.
COMMENT: Winds remaining light.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 18/1/03
A light cover of snow is lying above 850 metres. Some deeper 
pockets of soft slab have formed in locations sheltered from the 
recent strong Southwesterly winds. These pockets are mainly to 
be found in the higher gullies and around the tops of North to 
East facing slopes. In areas where soft slab has formed on top of 
old snow stability of this upper layer is moderate however these 
deposits are not extensive and are generally avoidable. The 
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 19/1/03
Rain and sleet initially on Saturday night will give way to dry 
and slightly cooler conditions on Sunday. With the return to 
drier conditions instabilities within the upper soft layers of the 
snowpack in high gullies and around the tops of North and East 
facing slopes will start to reduce.  The avalanche hazard will be 
Moderate (Category 2)   

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover of wet snow above 
850m in sheltered Northern and Eastern corries. 
ICING:  No ice at present. 
COMMENT: Higher buttresses and ridges have a thin cover of 
recent wet snow. This at least is giving a slight sensation of 
winter. 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 18/1/03
Overnight snow showers have deposited moderately to weakly 
bonded windslab in very sheltered locations on NE to SE 
aspects. Affected areas are localised with greatest hazard to be 
found on steeper scarp slopes and in gully exits. The avalanche 
hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere snow cover is 
superficial. 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 19/1/03
Heavy rain and a freezing level of 1500 metres will lead to a 
period of instability overnight on NE to SE aspects. By morning 
the remaining snow cover will be soft and wet. Moderately 
bonded layers may remain in steeper sheltered locations on NE 
to SE aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 
2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Superficial light cover.
ICING: Runnels of ice on Lochnagar, nothing too useful.
COMMENT: Check evening weather forecasts for up to date 
information as wet bulb freezing levels are borderline for 
sleet/snow on higher summits.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 18/1/03
Overnight snow on a strong Westerly wind has continued 
loading fresh windslab on to North through East to South-East 
aspects above 850 metres. Deposits remain isolated to the tops 
of steep gullies and sheltered steep scarp slopes of the above-
mentioned aspects. Slightly milder air temperatures
through the day have begun a slow settling of surface layers. 
However lower density sub-surface layers still exist and field 
tests produced an easy shear of 30-40cm.  The avalanche hazard is
Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 19/1/03
Overnight much warmer air temperatures are forecast with high 
amounts of rain on a strong Westerly airflow. Recent fresh 
windslab deposits found in gullies and at the tops of steep scarp 
slopes of a North through East to South-East aspect above 850 
metres will become increasingly unstable. The avalanche hazard 
will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely in 
these areas. As rain amounts moderate and air temperatures 
become slightly cooler snowpack stability will improve and 
leave isolated areas of wet soft slab.
   

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow down to 600 metres.
ICING: Very poor still with no climbable routes.
COMMENT: Looks like its back to grass, heather and puddles 
in my pants again!
 



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