This concludes our operation for Winter 2002-2003.  Many thanks
to all who have assisted us.

NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 15/4/03
Temperatures up to nearly 10 degrees on the plateau have 
contributed to rapid attrition of the snowpack.  There are still 
areas on South and North aspects with up to 2 metres of snow 
on the ground.  Mostly these are in the tops of a few gullies and, 
for example, across the Great Slab in  Coire an Lochan.  The top 
few centimetres of the snowpack is soft and moist.  The deeper 
pack is mostly coarse grained melt-freeze grains with good 
stability.  The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 16/4/03
The 24 hour forecast period will be dry with continuing warm 
temperatures.  The snowpack stability through this immediate 
forecast period will remain good.  The avalanche hazard will be 
Low (Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The rate of the final spring thaw 
advanced rapidly in the past 24 hours. 
ICING: Forecast to return in December 2003.
COMMENT: Due to rain events it's been a low snow season 
for snow on the ground but avalanches have still surprised 
people.

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 15/4/03
Warmer temperatures and a SE airflow during today have 
resumed the gradual thaw of the existing snowpack. Snowpack 
stability remains generally good. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 16/4/03
Thaw conditions will prevail through out the period with summit
temperatures reaching plus 8øc. The snowpack will continue to
thaw at all levels. Stability will remain generally good. The
avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main snow patches in high E facing 
corries.
ICING: Freezing level above the summits
COMMENT: This is the final forecast for the 2002/2003 
season, cheers.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 15/4/03
Very mild and generally settled conditions have continued to 
affect the area. The snowpack continues to recede and is now 
mainly to be found in the higher North-Easterly corries and 
sheltered gullies where cover is very patchy. In most locations 
snowpack stability is very good. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 16/4/03
It will remain warm with only the slight possibility of an 
isolated shower later on Wednesday. The snowpack will 
continue to recede and will be soft and moist all levels.  On most 
slopes stability will remain generally very good. Shallow wet 
surface instabilities may form on the steepest slopes and around 
the tops of summit gullies. Any remaining cornices will be 
prone to collapse with the very mild temperatures. The 
avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy snow above 900m.
ICING: Freezing level 2500 metres on Wednesday.
COMMENT: Strong SSE winds and very mild again. Last 
report for 2002/2003 season. 



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 15/4/03
It has been a very mild day with gusty but warm SSE winds. 
Consequently there has been a noticeable softening of the 
remaining snow patches. Despite the significant thaw taking 
place and softening of surface layers the snow is generally well 
bonded. There are large patches on the Cairngorm plateau and
the remains of old cornices around the rims of high N to E 
facing corries. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 16/4/03
The warm S to SE airflow will continue throughout the next 
period and there will be little change to the current situation. 
Any snow encountered will be soft and subject to thaw 
conditions but generally well bonded. The remains of old 
cornices and freshly exposed loose rocks could be worth 
avoiding during the prolonged warm temperatures. The 
avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover remains above 1100 
metres on mainly the Cairngorm plateau.
ICING: None observed.
COMMENT: This is the last area report of the season. We are 
looking forward to a warm Summer and loads of snow arriving 
in December!





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