NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/12/03
Moderate snow amounts on Northerly winds have contributed to 
a significant increase in snow cover.  Where sampled on a 
South-East aspect the stiff surface slab sheared easily on a very 
soft layer just above the ground.   The avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3).  

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/12/03
There will be light snow in the forecast period followed by rain 
up to 1200 metres.  The winds will become Westerly.  The 
timing of the warming will have a significant affect on snow 
stability, particularly on East and South aspects above 1000 
metres.  At the onset of the warming the avalanche hazard will 
be Considerable (Category 3).  

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Skiable areas on the plateau.
ICING: Slowly building on the routes.
COMMENT: First day of season for snowsports at the 
Cairngorm Ski area! 

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/12/03
Areas of unconsolidated and locally unstable snow are present 
on many sheltered aspects. Main accumulations are above 
1000m and at the tops of NW, N and NE facing slopes. On Ben 
Nevis significant accumulations are also present in many of the 
main gully lines. The avalanche hazard is Considerable 
(Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/12/03
Snow showers will continue overnight before a thaw at all levels 
later on Tuesday. Localised areas of unstable snow will be 
present, mainly on steep slopes with an aspect from NW through 
N to SE above 1000m. As the milder conditions become 
established avalanches are likely in these locations. The 
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover at all levels.
ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits during Tuesday 
afternoon.
COMMENT: Unstable snow in many of the main Nevis gullies 
as the thaw becomes established.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/12/03
Light snow showers above 250m with fresh Northerly winds have
continued to affect the area. Much of the fresh snow has been
re-distributed during the past 48 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 in these locations is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/12/03
Further snow showers in the early part of Monday afternoon will
be accompanied by fresh NW winds. These snow showers will turn to
rain as milder weather affects the area giving heavy thaw
conditions and strong W winds during Tuesday. The snowpack will
become wet and saturated and unstable 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 is Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

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


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/12/03
Snow showers overnight were followed by a mainly dry day 
with easing winds. Cover remains wind blown with drifts in 
sheltered locations. Deepest accumulations are to be found on E 
through to SW aspects above 600 metres. Where deposits exist 
on steeper ground they are moderately to weakly bonded. The 
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/12/03
Thaw conditions will arrive on Tuesday with the freezing level 
rising to 1400 metres. Localised accumulations on E through to 
SW aspects above 600 metres will become increasingly 
unstable. Where deeper deposits lie on steeper slopes avalanches 
are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 
3). Newly formed cornices should be avoided.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover has improved with wind 
blown open slopes and deeper drifts in places.
ICING: Showing improvement. Buttresses remain dry with a 
covering of light snow.
COMMENT: Trail breaking required on most tracks. 



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/12/03
A slow rise in temperature has brought some consolidation to 
recent snow deposits on slopes of all aspects. North-West winds 
and light snow showers have combined to produce some new 
thin accumulations on very sheltered North-East to South-East
slopes and gullies above 950m. The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/12/03
Slowly rising temperatures and some rain will bring little change
to present avalanche conditions. The snowpack will continue to
consolidate on slopes of all aspects and at all elevations.
Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover down to 200m at 
present, though this will deplete in milder temperatures.
ICING: Still poor. Needs a melt-freeze cycle.
COMMENT: Difficult walking in drifted snow.
 



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