NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/12/03
The North-West winds and more snow in the past 24 hours has 
resulted in areas on East and South aspects above 950 metres 
with a soft slab instability.  This shears cleanly in field tests.  
Although the extent of the slab is limited the avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 29/12/03
Continued North-West winds will contribute to further slab 
development on East and South aspects above 950 metres.  
Some crag aprons are now well filled in, with over 1 metre of 
snow.  The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover on Southerly aspects of 
the plateau.  
ICING:  Slowly developing.
COMMENT:  Some small local terrain features of all aspects 
have the soft slab instability.   

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/12/03
Large areas of unconsolidated snow are present on many aspects 
above 800m. This snow has formed as soft unstable windslab, 
mainly on slopes and gullies with an East, South East and South 
aspect above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable 
(Category 3). Avalanche debris noted on E aspects at 1200m on 
Aonach Mor.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 29/12/03
There will be little new snow overnight but the winds will 
remain strong from the NW. Further areas of soft unstable 
windslab will form in sheltered locations. Greatest 
accumulations will be at the tops of East, South East and South 
facing slopes and gullies above 1000m, where avalanches are 
likely.  Other localised sheltered locations will also be affected. 
The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 400m.
ICING: Little ice build up on buttresses yet.
COMMENT: Deeper snow higher up making trail-breaking 
tedious.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/12/03
New snow is lying above 300 metres. Above 850 metres strong 
variable winds are continuing to form 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 moderate to weak, particularly on steeper 
slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 29/12/03
Cold conditions with light snow showers and strong North-
Westerly winds overnight will continue to form windslab in all 
sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations of windslab will 
form in sheltered summit gullies, hollows and around the tops of 
North-East to South-facing slopes mainly above 900 metres. Stability
in areas where deeper windslab exists on steeper slopes will be 
poor.  The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3)
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 300 metres.
ICING: Re-forming on rocks and paths above 500m. 
COMMENT: New snow on ridges and buttresses, turf starting 
to re-freeze on the higher crags. 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/12/03
Frequent snow showers on strong winds have formed localised 
deposits on mainly E through to SW aspects from valley level. 
In sheltered locations dee.......erately to weakly bonded 
windslab is present. Greatest hazard is to be found in gully exits 
and on steeper scarp slopes. The avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3). New cornices are forming.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 29/12/03
Localised unstable deposits will be found in sheltered locations 
on E through to SW aspects from valley level. The greatest 
hazard will be found where deeper deposits exist in gullies and 
other steeper sheltered features, where avalanches are likely.
Other areas will remain wind-blown. The avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Falling from valley level. Subject to 
wind scouring and drifting at higher levels.
ICING: Reforming but expect variable quality.
COMMENT: Newly formed cornices will be suspect. 


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 28/12/03
Prolonged snow showers on West to North-West winds have 
combined to create deep accumulations of windslab on all 
sheltered, steep North-East through East to Southerly aspects. 
Stability is poor in these places above 900 metres, where the 
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 29/12/03
North-West winds and snow showers will continue to load 
poorly stabilised windslab on to North-East through East to 
Southerly aspects above 850 metres.  Fragile cornices will 
continue to develop above steep slopes and gullies of these 
aspects, where avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will 
be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow down to 200 metres with very 
heavy drifting in many places.
ICING: Still thin.
COMMENT: Be prepared to plough through deep drifts on all 
approaches.
 



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