NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/1/03
It was another warm, wet and windy day with continuous strong
Westerlies.  At mid-day the temperatures started to drop.  The 
snowpack stability is generally fair to good but releases to 
ground, particularly in shallow areas, and glide crack potential is 
indicated.  The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 28/1/03
A return to more wintry conditions will see moderate snow 
amounts accumulate mainly on East and South-East aspects 
above 1000 metres.  Initially the new slab will bond reasonably 
well to the old surface. The new slab will not be extensive 
across or down slope. Distribution will vary given local terrain 
features.  The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 
3). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some narrow ribbons around the 
rim of the Corries.  The Great Slab is still nearly covered.  
ICING: Even easy gullies are not complete.
COMMENT:  Rockfall and broken snow patches falling off are 
still a concern. 

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/1/03
After a wet start to Monday the current thaw conditions are
continuing. No new snow is present. The existing wet snowpack is
patchy, sparse and limited to high gully lines and corries. The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 28/1/03
Snow showers and a strong WNW wind during the forecast 
period will see fresh accumulations form on sheltered NE to E 
aspects. Unstable deposits will be limited to where they overlie 
older existing snow patches, mainly in high gullies and scarp 
slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).  


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Limited to high N and E aspects, 
patchy.
ICING: Freezing level lowering to around 400m by Tuesday.
COMMENT: Blizzard conditions expected on Tuesday.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/1/03
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 TUE 28/1/03
Colder conditions with snow showers will bring a wintrier feel 
to the area than of late. Gale force West to North-West winds will
form shallow windslab in sheltered areas such as summit gullies 
and on slopes with a North-East to South-East aspect. Due to lack
of old snow cover most fresh windslab deposits will form on 
vegetation and on rocks and will not present a significant 
hazard. Bonding of windslab deposits will be moderate where 
they form on top of old snow and on the steepest of slopes. 
Avalanche hazard Moderate (Category 2)

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover in high gullies and 
corries on Monday. Cover will start to improve overnight 
ICING:  Will start to re-form above 800 metres overnight
COMMENT: Hopefully the start of a prolonged cold spell with 
freezing levels lowering to 400 metres on Tuesday.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/1/03
It has remained wet and windy with a change in temperatures 
beginning this afternoon. Cover is restricted to limited patches 
above 950 metres and is generally well bonded on all aspects. 
The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 28/1/03
There will be a return to cooler conditions with snow showers 
arriving overnight and continuing throughout the forecast 
period. New accumulations will develop in sheltered locations 
on NE through to SE aspects. Above 950 metres where deposits 
are at their deepest and have developed over older snow they 
will be moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will 
be Considerable (Category 3). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Isolated patchy cover above 950 
metres.
ICING: It will improve as it's impossible to get worse!
COMMENT: Blizzards at times on the hill.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/1/03
It has remained very mild with the freezing level well above the 
summits.  These conditions coupled with driving rain have 
further depleted what little snow cover we had. The largest areas 
remaining are on the rims of steep coires and in the beds of the 
deepest gullies on North to East aspects above 800 metres. 
Snow on all aspects is soft but well bonded and stable. The 
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).
  
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 28/1/03
It will turn much colder with frequent snow showers driven on a 
severe gale force West becoming West-North-West wind.  With 
heavy drifting of this new snow, windslab will rapidly build in 
sheltered gullies on North through East to South-East aspects 
above 800 metres. As there is little or no base in many places, 
only the deeper gullies and the very rims of steep corries will
be affected with more open slopes taking time to build up snow
cover. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Extremely sparse. Small areas only 
in some North to East facing gullies. Generally above 800 
metres but higher still on some slopes.

ICING: There isn't any!

COMMENT: Winter's on its way back, which is just as well as 
I was about to resign and move to Canada!
 



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