NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 27/12/03
Significant snow of over one metre has accumulated on East and 
South aspects above 1000 metres.  There are two easy shears in 
the new snow which is cold and of low density.  Small cornices 
were triggered.  The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 28/12/03
Snow showers are forecast with winds from the West shifting to 
North and freezing at all levels.  The stability of the storm snow 
on East and South aspects above 900 metres will be fair.  The 
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).   

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Keep your fingers crossed for 
skiing; hill is white again. 
ICING:  Should be building under the new snow. 
COMMENT:  Full avalanche awareness needed. 

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 27/12/03
Fresh deposits of soft windslab are present in sheltered 
locations. Accumulations are generally restricted to the tops of 
gullies and steep slopes with North through East to South-East
aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 28/12/03
Snow showers and West winds overnight will form areas of 
unstable soft windslab in sheltered gullies and steep slopes 
above 1000 metres. North through East to South-East aspects
will initially hold the greatest accumulations, but as winds veer 
and strengthen from the North, unstable areas of windslab will 
also form on Southerly aspects. The avalanche hazard will be 
Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 400 metres.
ICING: Water ice starting to form above 600 metres.
COMMENT: Still lean on the Ben today (27/12/03); any ice is
thin and scarce. Colder conditions on Sunday should help some.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 27/12/03
New snow is lying above 450 metres. Above 850 metres strong 
variable winds have formed windslab in sheltered areas such as 
gullies and on slopes with a North through East to South-East 
aspect. Where deeper accumulations of windslab exist bonding 
is poor, particularly on steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3) 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 28/12/03
Prolonged snow showers overnight with strong Westerly winds 
will form unstable accumulations of windslab in all sheltered 
locations and on slopes with North through East to South-East 
aspect mainly above 800 metres. The snow showers will become 
lighter on Sunday and the wind will veer to the North forming 
fresh areas of unstable windslab  on slopes with Southerly 
aspect mainly above 800 metres. Stability in areas where deeper 
windslab forms will be poor and avalanches are likely. The 
avalanche hazard will be Considerable  (Category 3) 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 450 metres.
ICING: Re-forming on rocks and paths above 600m. 
COMMENT: Wind transport of snow will form unstable 
windslab and cornices mainly above 800 metres. 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 27/12/03
There is a light general covering of snow from 600 metres. Dry 
light deposits have accumulated on E through S to SW aspects.
Generally these deposits are not significant in depth but in some 
sheltered locations dee.......erately bonded snow exists. The 
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 28/12/03
It will remain cold with light snow showers overnight and 
during Sunday. Existing dry light deposits are also available for 
redistribution on the strong N winds. Localised accumulations 
will build in very sheltered locations on E through S to W aspects.
On steeper terrain where windslab achieves significant depth 
over pre-existing deposits the snowpack will be moderately to 
weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable 
(Category 3). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A light general cover from 600 
metres.
ICING: Slowly forming. Due to remain cold.
COMMENT: Freezing level at 200 metres on Sunday. 


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 27/12/03
New soft slab instabilities exist primarily on steep Easterly 
facing slopes above 900m. Some cornice development has also 
occurred on coire rims above these locations. The avalanche 
hazard is Moderate (Category 2). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 28/12/03
Snow showers on moderate winds, initially Westerly becoming
Northerly and more prolonged will continue throughout the period.
This will result in additional development of new soft slab
primarily on East to South facing slopes above 850 metres and
gully tops. Further cornice development particularly above East
facing slopes is also likely. This will increase the avalanche
hazard to Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light general covering above 450 
meters. With some drifting particularly on East facing slopes.
ICING: No significant development.
COMMENT: Still some way off a 'winter wonderland' but a 
definite overall improvement.
 



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