NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 25/2/03
The Southerly winds have strengthened during the day but dry
conditions continued. There has been little snow transport except
for small deposits of plateau erosion snow on Northerly aspects
above 1000 metres.  The snowpack remains stable.  The avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 26/2/03
The strong Southerly winds will continue. Very light snow
overnight will be followed by drier conditions during daylight
hours. This will not significantly alter the snowpack.  There
will be small and easily avoidable deposits of new snow on
Northerly aspects above 900 metres especially at the tops of
gullies and scarp slopes.  The avalanche hazard will be Moderate
(Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Large patches of wind-scoured snow
on plateau.
ICING: Some small bosses in Corries, buttresses slightly 
hoared.
COMMENT: Beware of ice and granite pellets flying across 
plateau in strong winds.



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 25/2/03
Slightly warmer temperatures during today have started to thaw
the snowpack, which is generally stable. Localised surface
instabilities are still present on steep Northerly aspects above
1000m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 26/2/03
The freezing level is expected to lower to around 700 overnight
and during Wednesday. No significant new snow accumulations are
expected. The snowpack will become re-frozen and generally
stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations in N and E 
facing corries above 900m. 
ICING: Freezing level lowering to around 700m overnight and 
during Wednesday.
COMMENT: Strong Southery winds continuing.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 25/2/03
Mild conditions with summit temperatures above zero have 
brought a slow thaw moistening and softening the snowpack at 
all levels. Stability is good in most locations. Isolated surface 
wet snow instabilities remain on the steepest slopes but are 
generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). 
Cornice collapse and falling ice remain a hazard.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 26/2/03
Little change is expected to occur to the condition of the 
snowpack with freezing levels around 1000 metres and only the 
possibility of light rain or sleet on the highest slopes. The slow 
gradual thaw will continue to soften and moisten the snowpack 
at most levels. Snowpack stability will remain good on all but 
the steepest slopes where some surface wet snow instabilities 
are possible. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). 
  

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800 metres mainly in 
high Northerly facing corries and gullies. 
ICING: Ice above 700m generally thawing but may re-freeze 
overnight at the highest levels.
COMMENT:  Limited climbing conditions may improve on the 
highest slopes. Excellent skiing and boarding on higher runs at 
Glencoe Ski Centre on Tuesday with a shallow cover of soft 
spring snow on a firm base.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 25/2/03
Both the ground and the snow were noticeably softer today 
below 1000 metres with thawing taking place. The freezing 
level however held beneath 1200 metres and the snow on the 
higher hills remained firm underfoot. Cover is patchy and 
restricted mainly to sheltered headwalls, gullies and burns with 
more extensive areas on E to S aspects. The avalanche hazard is 
Low (Category 1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 26/2/03
There will be a little light rain overnight with a dry day
forecast for Wednesday. It will remain windy with the freezing
level at around 1000 metres. Very little change is expected in
the snow pack with a gradual thaw taking place beneath 1000
metres. Above this altitude the snow will be firm and well
bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). Ice falls
at lower altitudes will be prone to collapse.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS
 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover. More extensive areas 
on E to S aspects.
ICING: Most ice subject to thaw conditions today.  
COMMENT: Ice at lower altitudes is becoming thin, wet and 
scary. 


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 25/2/03
Strong South-South-East winds have prevailed with the freezing
level above the summits. Overnight thaw-freeze cycle has improved
bonding of recent shallow deposits of windslab on North-West to
North- East aspects 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1). Elsewhere snowpack stability remains generally
good. However rock and fragile ice formations were observed
falling from the cliffs in mild air.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 26/2/03
Light rain on a strong Southerly wind is forecast overnight with 
the freezing level remaining above the summits throughout the 
forecast period. Although general snowpack stability will 
remain good, mild temperatures and light rain will leave steep
and convex terrain suspect on all aspects above 850 metres. The 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Large cornices 
are present above many aspects and these will become 
increasingly unstable and prone to collapse. Debris will travel 
for some distance so take care in terrain traps i.e. The Window.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still reasonable cover in corries and
most gullies.
ICING: A little mushy on lower pitches with a little running 
water and water jets from ice screws! Still good fun though.
COMMENT: Remember cornice collapse doesn't count as an 
avalanche, but debris can still be significant!  
 



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