NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 25/12/03 The recent snow has just about completely gone with a few remaining patches of the old snow-ice. There have been snow showers today above about 900 metres with Westerly winds. There is very little new accumulation on the ground. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 26/12/03 There will be further snow showers with the freezing level on a roller coaster from 500 metres then up to 1100 metres and finally back to 500 metres. The winds will be Southerly with a change to Westerly later. There will be very minor accumulations on North and East aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Not enough for skiing on plateau. ICING: Not enough for climbing. COMMENT: It's wet and cold for dry tooling conditions; turf is fragile and taking a beating on a few routes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 25/12/03 Little change to the current sparse snowpack and stable conditions. The avalanche hazard remains Low (Category 1) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 26/12/03 Snow showers overnight on moderate Southerly winds continuing tomorrow and becoming South Westerly for the remainder of the forecast period. This will result in some new accumulations of fresh snow with the potential for windslab development, primarily on North to North East facing slopes and gully tops above 850m. Where significant accumulations develop in these locations the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very sparse, isolated patches only on the highest ground ICING: None COMMENT: More wintry weather on the horizon (which will help relieve current 'full spate' conditions of Coire Ardair main path!) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 25/12/03 A change to cooler conditions has left a light cover of snow above 900m. Isolated areas of soft windslab are starting to form on sheltered NE, E and SE aspects. These deposits are generally restricted to the tops of steep slopes and gullies where older remaining areas of snow are present. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 26/12/03 Snow showers overnight and during Friday will continue to form areas of fresh soft slab in sheltered locations. Deposits will be isolated, and generally restricted to steep slopes and gullies with N through E to SE aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A light dusting above 900m today (25/12/03). Still thin and patchy. ICING: Freezing level rising to 1100m overnight, then back to 600m later on Friday. COMMENT: A freeze thaw cycle over the next 24hrs should improve things, but a lot more snow required generally. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 25/12/03 Heavy rain at all levels has continued to reduce the snowpack leaving mainly patches in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are to be found in the highest corries and gullies. Surface wet snow instabilities exist on the steepest of these slopes but these areas are generally avoidable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 26/12/03 Snow showers overnight with strong Southerly winds will form areas of windslab in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a North-West to North-East aspect mainly above 900 metres. Milder conditions around early morning will bring light rain with sleet on the highest slopes. A return to cooler conditions later with snow showers and strong Westerly winds will form further areas of windslab on slopes with a North-East to South- East aspect mainly above 900 metres. Accumulations of windslab are not expected to be deep or extensive but bonding will be suspect where they form on steeper slopes of old snow ice. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover on Thursday but hopefully improving with snow showers forecast. ICING: No ice at present but will start to re-form. COMMENT: Colder outlook. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 25/12/03 Heavy overnight rain has continued the aggressive thaw. The remaining snow is restricted to patchy cover on the higher mountains only. These patches tend to be found in sheltered locations and comprise of wet snow that is generally well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 26/12/03 There will be a return to wintry conditions with snow showers overnight and during Friday. Despite a brief rise in the freezing level to 1100 metres most aspects will receive a light covering from 600 metres. On steeper ground bonding will be moderate where localised accumulations achieve depth over any older snow ice. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Limited to patches of wet snow on the higher mountains only. ICING: Subject to aggressive thaw conditions today. COMMENT: Temperature fluctuation between 600 metres and 1100 metres and back during Friday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------