NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 26/1/03
This was a warm winter day with a Westerly wind.  The 
snowpack, where sampled on the Great Slab in Coire an 
Lochain, is isothermal and two metres deep.  It is moist and well 
bonded but punctuated by slush and ice layers.  The avalanche 
hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 27/1/03
The temperatures are finally expected to drop during the 
afternoon, heralding snow showers.  The wind will continue to 
blow from the West creating some new load on Easterly aspects 
above 1000m.  Near surface snow stability will not change 
significantly.  Rockfall and cornice breaks will be a concern.  
The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow has accumulated on the top of 
the Twin Burns and West Wall; otherwise a net loss 
everywhere.
ICING: Considerable water flow being blown uphill in The 
Vent.
COMMENT: This appears to be the end of the third 
winter-spring cycle this season.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 26/1/03
A major thaw has taken place overnight and during Sunday with 
summit temperatures of around 5 degrees C. The snowpack is
greatly reduced with wet snow deposits restricted to high gully
lines and corries. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 27/1/03
A change to the current mild conditions will occur as snow and 
strong W winds move into the forecast area as Monday 
progresses. New snow accumulations will at first be limited to 
the tops of gullies and slopes were existing older deposits 
remain with a NE to E through to SE aspect. As Monday 
progresses fresh areas of snow will start to form at lower 
elevations in sheltered locations. The avalanche hazard will be 
Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin and patchy.
ICING: Becoming colder later on Monday.
COMMENT: Looking better for the week ahead, could this be 
the start of winter, again?



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 26/1/03
Recent thaw conditions with very heavy rain at all levels have 
reduced the snow cover to patches in the higher gullies and 
corries. The remaining snowpack is generally stable. Avalanche 
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 27/1/03
Mild conditions with rain at all levels will continue to affect the 
area overnight and through much of Monday. The remaining 
snowpack will be patchy and will mainly  be found in the higher 
summit gullies and North to East facing corries. General 
snowpack stability will be good.  The avalanche hazard will be 
Low (Category 1) but any remaining cornices will be prone to 
collapse.    

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 


SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover in high gullies and 
corries 

ICING:  None at present

COMMENT: Mild and wet for most of Monday getting colder 
with significant snowfall expected through the rest of the week.  


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 26/1/03
Overnight rain and very warm temperatures have devastated the 
remaining patchy snow cover. With temperatures of 9 degrees 
centigrade at 900 metres today the snowpack is soft, wet and 
generally stable on all aspects. Cover is restricted to limited 
patches above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 27/1/03
It will remain extremely warm overnight before temperatures 
start to lower on Monday morning. The patchy snow cover that 
exists above 950 metres will remain soft but generally stable on 
all aspects. By late afternoon it will have become cold enough 
for isolated wintry showers to occur. The avalanche hazard will 
be Low (Category 1). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Isolated patchy cover above 950 
metres.
ICING: Forget it! Plus 6.9 degrees at 1200 metres!
COMMENT: Getting colder for the rest of the week...


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 26/1/03
It has become very mild with rain showers driven on a storm force
South-South-West wind. This has had the effect of almost
completely depleting what little snow cover we had. Only the very
tops of the biggest North to East facing gullies above 900 metres
hold any accumulations and these consist of well-bonded but soft
wet snow. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 27/1/03
It will remain very mild overnight with the freezing level well 
above the summits. During the day it will eventually become a 
little colder with wet snow over the summits. Snow deposits that 
survive in the bigger gullies on North to East aspects above 900 
metres will consolidate further with fresh wet snow being driven 
into the same gullies on a gale force Westerly wind. These fresh 
deposits will make little difference to the current sparse 
conditions. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: It took me a while to find it!
North to East facing gullies above 900 metres only.

ICING: There isn't any!

COMMENT: Hopefully getting a bit colder as I'm getting fed 
up with driving rain and gales!
 



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