NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/1/04
Moderate to heavy rain changed to sleet above 1000 metres on 
strong winds from the South-West.  The snow-pack has been 
rain soaked although there is still a dry layer about 75cm down.  
There were no easy shears or instabilities identified in the 
deeper pack.  Areas of shallow snowpack on steep ground have 
fair stability. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/1/04
There will be a slight cooling with occasional snow showers and 
continuing strong winds from the West-South-West.  There will 
be small accumulations of soft slab above 800 metres on North 
to North-East aspects.  The extent of this new instability will be 
limited to the tops of a few gullies.  The avalanche hazard will 
be Moderate (Category 2).  

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Still some large wet patches 
remaining.
ICING:  A few apparently undeterred souls testing the wettest 
outdoor ice experienced.
COMMENT:  Avalanche Seminar 31st January-1st February at 
Glenmore Lodge.  "Theory meets practice" with speakers from 
Switzerland, France and Canada.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/1/04
The existing snowpack is wet and well bonded up to 1200 
metres. Above this, fresh snow has formed localised instabilities 
on steep North to North-East aspects.  The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2).
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/1/04
Colder temperatures will stabilise the existing wet snowpack.
Light snow showers and strong W to SW winds will build localised
areas of windslab. Greatest accumulations will be at the tops of
North to East aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard
will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy below 1000 metres. Snowing 
above 1000 metres.	
ICING: Freezing level falling to around 900 metres.
COMMENT:  Feeling more like Winter tomorrow but windy.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/1/04
Heavy rain at all levels has saturated the snowpack.  Shallow
surface wet snow instabilities exist on some of the steepest
slopes above 900 metres. These are mainly in sheltered areas of
North and East facing corrie headwalls and summit gully exits.
The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/1/04
Precipitation falling as rain with sleet on the tops overnight
will turn to light snow during Friday as slightly colder
conditions return.  Gale force W to SW  winds will form areas of
windslab on slopes mainly above 900 metres with a North to
Easterly aspect and in sheltered areas around the tops of
gullies. Windslab accumulation is not expected to be deep or
extensive. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate  (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 850 metres.
ICING: Highest levels only and thawing fast
COMMENT: Slight improvement with cooler outlook but 
becoming very windy.



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/1/04
It has been a very wet day with significant thawing taking place. 
The patchy snow is soft but generally well bonded. Greatest 
amounts are situated at the tops of high N and E facing corries. 
The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/1/04
With the freezing level lowering to 800 metres the remaining 
wet snow will begin to re-freeze. Very light snow fall will lead to
isolated deposits in very sheltered locations on NE to E aspects 
above 600 metres. These superficial deposits will not alter the 
avalanche hazard which will remain Low (Category 1). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Highly patchy. Best in high N to E 
facing corries.
ICING: Poor observation conditions. Nothing useful noted.
COMMENT: Cooler conditions tomorrow but very strong 
winds expected.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/1/04
Ther has been rain at all levels on a strong Southerly airflow.
The snowpack remains in retreat with soft and wet, moderately
bonded snow on all aspects above 800 metres. The avalanche hazard
is Moderate (Category 2). A hazard from falling ice, rock and
cornice remnants is maintained on steep North to East aspects,
particularly Coire Ardair cliffs.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/1/04
Slightly colder air temperatures are forecast with light snow on
severe gale force Westerly winds. Although cooler conditions
will aid general snowpack stability, fresh isolated and shallow
areas of windslab will begin to form on steep North to East
aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate
(Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Largest patches on N to E aspects 
above 750m, but vanishing fast.
ICING: Most of the ice is now in the Loch!
COMMENT: Snow is likely to be light, but at least
it's slightly colder!
 



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