NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 24/12/03
During the last 24 hours, mild temperatures, strong winds and
rain have continued to deplete the existing snowpack. The snow
that remains is rain soaked and generally well bonded at all
levels. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 25/12/03
During the day the freezing level will drop to around 900 
metres. There will be light showers, initially of rain but turning 
to snow, which will be blown on a strong SW wind. These will 
deposit isolated areas of slab on North to East aspects
above 900 metres. The existing snowpack will freeze and 
become stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate 
(Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Shrinking quickly in the current 
mild weather.
ICING: Should hopefully improve with cooler conditions.
COMMENT: Beware a jolly red man on various chimney 
routes tomorrow.

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 24/12/03
Thaw conditions overnight and during Wednesday have further 
depleted the existing snow cover. Localised wet snow 
instabilities are present and generally restricted to steep N to E 
to SE aspects above 900m. Elsewhere the snowpack is wet and 
generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 25/12/03
The current thaw will continue overnight and into Thursday. As 
colder conditions move into the forecast area during Thursday, 
existing wet snow deposits will refreeze and snow showers will 
start to form fresh areas of localised shallow windslab. Greatest 
accumulations will be at the tops of gullies and steep slopes 
with N, NE and E aspects above 900m. The avalanche hazard 
will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Restricted to the high deep gully 
lines on the Ben, elsewhere only thin patches remain.
ICING: Freezing level above the summits. Lowering to 900m 
on Thursday.
COMMENT: Dramatic thaw conditions. Burns in full spate 
(24/12/03). Cooling down later on Thursday, Merry Xmas!



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 24/12/03
Heavy thaw conditions at all levels accompanied by strong W 
winds have saturated the snowpack. This has led to wet snow
instabilities on all steep slopes above 750m. The avalanche
hazard is Moderate (Category 2).


AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 25/12/03
The mild weather will continue to affect the area. Rain and
strong Westerly winds will maintain thaw conditions at all
levels. The snowpack will consolidate after Wednesday thaw
diminishing the extent of the snowpack. Some wet snow
instabilities may still exist on steeper slopes around the tops
of corrie headwalls. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate
(Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800m.
ICING: No ice. 
COMMENT: Returning to wintry showers above 750m in the afternoon.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS"


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 24/12/03
A significant thaw has taken place in the last 24 hour period 
with deposits rapidly melting. In the remaining deeper deposits 
that are to be found in sheltered locations on E through to SW 
aspects wet surface layers are moderately bonded to the drier 
snow beneath. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 25/12/03
Heavy rain overnight and into Thursday will continue to saturate 
the remaining deposits before colder conditions arrive late in the 
period. On some steeper slopes in sheltered locations on E 
through to SW aspects remaining deep deposits will contain 
drier snow that will be moderately bonded to the wet surface 
layers. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thawing rapidly at all altitudes with 
some drifts remaining.
ICING: Aggressive thaw conditions. Rivers in spate.
COMMENT: Freezing level lowering to 900 metres late in the 
period. 


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 24/12/03
Mild wet conditions have resulted in a much depleted wet and 
stable snowpack. Avalanche hazard Low (Category 1)
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 25/12/03
A return to cooler conditions is forecast, with freezing levels
dropping to just below summits later, accompanied by snow showers
on strong Westerly winds. This will result in fresh accumulations
of snow on slopes above 800m, primarily in East facing, steep
sheltered locations and gully tops. The avalanche hazard will
increase to Moderate (Catergory 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Scattered patches above 800m.
ICING: None.
COMMENT: Wet and windy with snow showers later. Any increase in
hazard restricted to the  highest slopes and gully tops.
 



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