NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/12/03
Strong Northerly winds and moderate snow amounts to low 
levels have resulted in new slab accumulations up to 50 
centimetres deep.  Where this lies on the pre-existing small 
patches of snow-ice there is an easy shear.  The avalanche 
hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/12/03
Additional snow will be followed by rain at the end of the 
forecast period.  This will create a significant snowpack 
instability on all aspects, particularly Southerly, above 1050 
metres.  The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 
3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Heavy travel in drifted areas. 
ICING: Ice forming but nothing complete yet. 
COMMENT: Winter has arrived, "heads up" on avalanche 
thinking. 

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/12/03
Areas of soft slab are present mainly on steep SE through to W 
aspects above 1000m. Localised areas of windslab are also 
present on other sheltered steep aspects. The avalanche hazard 
is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/12/03
Fresh snow is expected overnight and during Monday with a gradual
rise in the freezing level during the day. Unstable slab
accumulations will continue to build, mainly on steep NE, E, SE
and S aspects above 1000m. As the freezing level rises during the
day, avalanches will become increasingly likely in these
locations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category
3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels. Good cover 
on high plateaus.
ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits during 
Monday.
COMMENT: Rain at all levels by Monday night.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/12/03
Snow showers above 250m with strong Northerly winds have
affected the area. Much of the fresh snow has been redistributed 
during the past 24 hours with the strong Northerly winds. The
greatest accumulations of fresh snow are in sheltered locations 
above 700m with deepest deposits in gullies and sheltered corrie 
headwalls above 900m. On steep slopes above 850m on many 
sheltered aspects some shallow windslab is present. The 
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/12/03
Light snow showers will continue through Sunday night becoming
more frequent and heavy during Monday morning accompanied by
strong NW winds. These snow showers will turn to rain as milder
weather affects the area giving heavy thaw conditions. The
snowpack will become wet and saturated and unstable especially on
steep slopes on most aspects. Where deep accumulations of fresh
snow exists on steep slopes such as sheltered corrie headwalls,
wet snow avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 250m.
ICING: No significant ice. 
COMMENT: A heavy thaw is forecast to start during Monday 
morning with the freezing level rising to well above the 
summits.  


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/12/03
Snow showers throughout the period have formed deep drifts in 
sheltered locations from valley level. Many areas are wind 
scoured but localised deeper deposits exist above 700 metres on 
SE to SW aspects. These recent deposits overlie the ground and 
demonstrate moderate stability. The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/12/03
Further snowfall on NW winds will continue to build deposits in 
sheltered locations on E through to SW aspects above 700 
metres. On steeper slopes new accumulations will be moderately 
to weakly bonded. The freezing level will gradually rise 
throughout the period to summit level. Steeper slopes and newly 
formed cornices will be suspect. The avalanche hazard will be 
Considerable (Category 3). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover has improved with wind 
blown open slopes and deeper drifts in places.
ICING: Slowly forming.
COMMENT: Significant temperature rise expected. 



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/12/03
Persistent snow showers on strong North-East to North winds 
have created deep areas of windslab at the top of most steep 
South to Westerly aspects above 850m. Stability in all these
sheltered areas remains marginal and the avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3).  

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/12/03
Heavy snow showers on NW winds will persist until rain arrives 
very late in the day. Additional windslab will build on all 
sheltered, steep NE through S to W-facing slopes and gullies. The
onset of rain will bring a decline in snow stability and
avalanches are likely at this time. The avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover of fresh snow at all 
levels with deep drifts on higher approach routes.
ICING: Still poor. Thaw conditions forecast at all levels later 
on Monday.
COMMENT: Very wintry with thigh deep drifts in places today 
(Sunday).
 



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