NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 18/12/03
A few snow patches remain above 1050 metres with depths of 
up to 50 centimetres along the top of a a few ridges and down 
several gullies.  This snow is stable. The avalanche hazard is 
Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 19/12/03
There will be very light snow with temperatures cooling to minus 4
degrees at 1245 metres.  There will be some build-up of snow on
East to South aspects above 900 metres.  The avalanche hazard 
will remain Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some snow on the bare ground will 
be a good start.
ICING: Perhaps some improvement in the next 24 hours.
COMMENT: Avalanche threshold not reached yet. 

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 18/12/03
Mild conditions have further consolidated the existing snow
cover. Accumulations are patchy and generally restricted to
gullies and hollows above 900m. The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 19/12/03
Light snow overnight will give a dusting of fresh cover above 
1100m. Amounts are not expected to be significant. The snow 
cover will remain patchy and restricted to high gully lines and 
hollows. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy and restricted mainly to high 
N and E facing gullies.
ICING: Freezing level lowering to 600m on Friday.
COMMENT: Turning colder, but dry.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 18/12/03
The snow cover is patchy and is mainly restricted to sheltered 
areas in the higher corries and gullies. The remaining snowpack 
is generally moist and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 19/12/03
Light rain with sleet on the higher tops overnight will not 
significantly alter the condition or extent of the sparse snow 
cover. Dry cooler conditions on Friday with freezing levels of 
800 metres will start to firm up the surface of the remaining 
snowpack maintaining good stability.  The avalanche hazard 
will be Low (Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover in higher corries and 
gullies. Light sleet forecast on tops overnight.
ICING: No significant ice but will start to re-form on rocks and 
paths above 800 metres with colder outlook for Friday.
COMMENT: Dry and bright outlook for Friday.



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 18/12/03
The majority of hills have no snow with only the higher mountains
retaining patches of old snow-ice. These are mainly to be found
at the top of high NE corries. The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 19/12/03
There will be light showers overnight falling as snow on the
higher summits. There will be no substantial change to the
current situation but the existing patches of old snow will firm
up as the freezing level lowers to 700 metres on Friday. The
avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Insignificant patchy snow.
ICING: None observed and the ground has become soft.
COMMENT: A return to colder conditions with the freezing 
level expected to lower to 700 metres on Friday.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 18/12/03
A few isolated patches of rapidly depleting snow remain in 
some sheltered locations above 850m. All remaining snow is 
now wet but stable in the present thaw conditions. The 
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 19/12/03
There will be a return to colder conditions with light snow
showers overnight on a strong North-West wind. Remaining isolated
snow patches will become firm, well bonded and stable. Drifting
of fresh snow is possible above 950 metres in sheltered gully
tops and hollows of an East to South aspect. Quantities of new
snow are not expected to pose any significant increase in hazard.
The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Sparse; just a few patches remain.
ICING: May again affect higher corrie paths.
COMMENT: A return to colder conditions; would be good to
get some more snow though!
 



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