NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 26/2/03
Strong Southerly winds continued for another day. There is on 
some high North aspects a surface slab up to 5 centimetres thick
that breaks out easily by boot penetration but shows no shear 
characteristics across the slope.  The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).   

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 27/2/03
Light snow amounts and slightly rising temperatures will not 
significantly alter snow stability.  Some more extensive areas of 
slab will develop on North aspects above 900 metres.  This will 
require high additional load to trigger any instability.  The 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  What remains is resilient to the 
wind treatment and remaining firm above 700 metres.
ICING: Low humidity values seem to be helping preserve what 
there is.
COMMENT:  Careful route-finding still worthwhile practice in
the larger snow zones, for example the Great Slab. 




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 26/2/03
Cooler, dry conditions overnight and during Wednesday have seen
the snowpack gradually consolidate at all levels. Stability is
generally good. Isolated surface instabilities are present and
are restricted to steep N aspects, and are generally avoidable.
The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 27/2/03
After a dry night with little change, increasing rain and strong
SE winds will move into the forecast area during Thursday.
Snowpack stability will be generally good, but surface wet snow
instabilities will form on steep aspects as rainfall increases
during Thursday. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category
2). Cornices will become increasingly suspect.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Becoming leaner at all levels, best 
cover in high N and E facing corries.
ICING: Water ice remaining above 600m, becoming thin and 
wet.
COMMENT: Strong winds continuing on Thursday. Hazard of 
rock and icefall in thaw conditions. 



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 26/2/03
The snowpack is becoming soft and moist at all levels. Stability
is generally 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).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 27/2/03
Freezing levels will remain well above the tops for the outlook 
period. Rain light at first becoming more persistent by midday 
will gradually saturate and reduce the snowpack. The snowpack 
will be soft and moist at all levels. Stability will remain good on 
all but the steepest slopes where wet snow instabilities will start 
to form as precipitation becomes heavier. The avalanche hazard 
will be Moderate (Category 2). Cornices will
remain prone to collapse.	 
  

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800 metres mainly in 
high Northerly facing corries and gullies. 
ICING: Ice above 700m generally thawing.
COMMENT: Hazard of falling rocks and ice with freezing 
levels around 1500m and persistent rain later on Thursday.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 26/2/03
There was no new precipitation with skies remaining clear both
overnight and during the day. Snow was noticeably firmer and in
areas previously exposed to the sun it was icy. 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 THU 27/2/03
In the afternoon the freezing levels will rise to well above the 
summits and there will be some light rain. Snow cover will 
soften but it will remain generally well bonded. The avalanche 
hazard will be Low (Category 1). Falling ice and rocks will be a 
hazard.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS
 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover. More extensive areas 
on E to S aspects.
ICING: Has thinned out at lower altitudes and will be subject to 
thaw.
COMMENT: Some footpaths and tracks are very icy.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 26/2/03
It was another dry day with Strong South-East wind and the
freezing level at the summits. Above 900 metres freeze-thaw
cycles have improved snowpack stability with firm generally well
bonded snow on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category
1). At lower levels slow thaw continues softening surface layers,
but still leaving general stability good. In places large
cornices still exist above steep aspects and these remain suspect
in milder air.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 27/2/03
There will be light sleet or rain with freezing levels remaining
above the summits and strong South-East wind. Localised wet snow
instabilities will develop on steep aspects above 850 metres. The
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere general
snowpack stability will remain good, although surface deposits
will soften and become wet. However large cornices above many
steep aspects will again become increasingly unstable. Debris
will travel long distances so take care in terrain traps e.g. The
Window. Rock and falling ice will also be a hazard from the
cliffs of Coire Ardair.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy but remaining reasonable in 
gullies and high corries.
ICING: Thawing slowly but generally still good.
COMMENT: Hopefully the thaw will not continue too long, so 
keep your fingers crossed.
 



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------