NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15/2/03
The clear weather continues due to the first omega blocking 
high pressure system in four winters.  On North aspect the 
snowpack temperatures remain cold, on South aspect the sun 
has only slightly softened the snow surface.   The snowpack is 
generally stable with some isolated pockets of the persistent stiff 
slab on a soft layer.  The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16/2/03
Another fine clear dry day is forecast with cool overnight 
temperatures and significant warming on South aspects during 
the day.  The snowpack temperatures on North aspects will 
continue to have the strong temperature gradient which will 
contribute to facet development.  On South aspects high 
additional load on some steep slopes will be a consideration. 
The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Little change; cooler temperatures 
preserving what there is on the plateau and North aspects.  
ICING:  Tests on the lochan in Coire an Lochan
indicated reasonable curling conditions.
COMMENT:  Developing facets and surface hoar may prove a problem
when buried by the next snowfall.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15/2/03
The settled, cold conditions are maintaining a generally stable 
snowpack. On slopes which remain in the shade, mainly steep N 
aspects above 1000m, the cold temperatures are continuing to 
develop a hard surface crust with weaker snow underneath. The 
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16/2/03
Little change is expected over the next 24 hours. The snowpack 
will remain generally stable. On slopes which remain in the 
shade, mainly steep N aspects above 1000m, the cold 
temperatures will continue to develop a hard surface crust with 
weaker snow underneath. The avalanche hazard will be Low 
(Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in N 
and E facing corries above 900m.
ICING: All old snow is hard frozen. 
COMMENT: Hazard of falling ice and snow from steep slopes 
exposed to the sun.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15/2/03
With cold settled conditions affecting the area at present the 
snowpack has developed melt freeze crust in most areas and is 
generally stable. Areas of shallow soft slab exist above 900m 
with the greatest accumulations being in sheltered gullies and 
slopes with a North to East aspect.  These areas are generally
well bonded however deeper areas may require some caution. The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16/2/03
Cold and clear conditions overnight will re-freeze the snowpack 
giving stable conditions in most locations. Strengthening 
Southerly winds during the course of Sunday will re-distribute 
any soft snow deposits forming pockets of windslab in sheltered 
gullies and on slopes with a North-West to North-Easterly aspect.
These deposits will generally be shallow and localised mainly to 
the tops of gullies and sheltered scarp slopes. Bonding to 
underlying snow-ice will be moderate where any deeper deposits
form on steeper slopes; elsewhere stability will generally be 
good. Avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700 metres. 
ICING:  Ice forming above 100m in watercourses and on rocks.
COMMENT: Perfect "alpine" style weather on Saturday with a 
reasonable outlook for Sunday, becoming windier. 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15/2/03
The high pressure continues to provide cool and clear conditions.
Little has changed in the snowpack which is generally well bonded
on all aspects. Unstable faceted crystals were found in shaded
locations. Slopes exposed to the sun are becoming increasingly
icy. Deepest patches remain on E to S aspects. The avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16/2/03
There will be another cool and clear day with a slight increase in 
wind strength. The patchy snowpack will remain generally well 
bonded on all aspects. The more extensive areas will be found 
on E and S aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Low 
(Category 1). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy firm cover. More extensive 
areas on E to S aspects.
ICING: Watercourses are providing reasonable sport, 
Lochnagar buttress routes remain very lean.
COMMENT: Again it will freeze from valley level.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 15/2/03
It was a dry and cold day with a very light South-West wind. The
snowpack remains hard, stable and generally well bonded on all 
aspects above 600 metres. Large surface hoar crystals have 
grown on sheltered Northerly aspects.  There is a slight
softening of surface layers where the snowpack is exposed to
strong sunlight. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Large
cornices still exist above many steep aspects, particularly the
Inner Coire.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 16/2/03
A strong Southerly wind and cold conditions will persist with no
further precipitation. This will have little effect on present
conditions. The snowpack will continue to be generally well
bonded and stable on all aspects above 600 metres. The avalanche
hazard will be Low (Category 1). Large cornices will persist
above many steep aspects.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover in the corries.
ICING: Post Face routes and Inner Coire have best conditions, 
still lean elsewhere. 
COMMENT: Better get up early if you want to beat the hordes
in, parties seen leaving at 05:00.
 



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