NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/1/04
The mild weather has continued with rain at all levels on
decreasing Westerly winds.  The snowpack has been rain soaked
leading to several layers of slush between dry layers. There were
no easy shears at test sites although instabilities still exist
on large areas of deep snow on steep ground. The avalanche hazard
is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/1/04
Mild conditions will continue with drier weather moving in from
the South-West on moderate winds.  The snowpack will continue to
thaw. Where deep wet snow exists on steep ground there may be
deep-seated sliding surfaces.  These instabilities will be on all
aspects where there are large areas of snow above 950 metres.
Any remaining cornices will be unstable.  The avalanche hazard
will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Depleting rapidly but large areas 
still exist.
ICING:  Still some ice around. 
COMMENT: The thaw continues with the hope of cooler air 
over the weekend.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/1/04
The current thaw conditions have continued to deplete the 
existing snowpack on all aspects. Wet snow instabilities are 
present and are generally restricted to steep North through East 
to South East aspects above 1000m.The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack is wet and 
generally stable. Any remaining cornices are prone to collapse.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/1/04
The thaw conditions will continue for the next 24 hours. Wet snow
instabilities will remain and will be restricted to steep North
through East to South East aspects above 1000 metres. The
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the
snowpack will be wet and generally stable.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover in high N and E facing 
corries.
ICING: None observed.
COMMENT: Only the major gullies on the Ben holding any 
significant snow today (20/01/04).



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/1/04
Wet and mild conditions have reduced much of the snowpack at 
lower levels.  Lighter rain today has improved the general 
stability of the remaining snow cover.  The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2) on the steepest slopes and gullies but 
some of these areas, predominantly North and East slopes above 
900 metres remain threatened by weak cornice formations. 



AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/1/04
The mild conditions will continue with light to moderate rain.
Surface wet snow instabilities may exist on the steepest slopes
and large cornices will also remain prone to collapse threatening
slopes below, these slopes will mainly be of Northern and
Easterly aspects above 900 metres.  Elsewhere the snowpack will
be soft and wet but general stability will continue to improve.
The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2)

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 800 metres.
ICING: Thawing all levels.
COMMENT: Poor outlook.



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/1/04
The remaining patchy snow continues to thaw at all levels. On N
to E aspects above 950 metres deeper accumulations have become
wet throughout and are now well bonded. The avalanche hazard is
Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/1/04
There will be very little change to the current situation. The 
patchy wet snow will continue to thaw at all levels and remain 
well bonded. Deepest accumulations will be found from 950 
metres mainly on N to E aspects. The avalanche hazard will be 
Low (Category 1). Rock fall will be a hazard in current thaw 
conditions.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Higher N to E corries are holding 
most snow. 
ICING: Buttresses are looking black but some gullies are 
holding on to snow.  
COMMENT: Likely to stay warmer until Saturday.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 20/1/04
Thaw conditions accompanied by heavy rain at all levels have led
to a saturated and much depleted snowpack.  Wet snow
instabilities are present above 800 metres on all aspects.  The
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 21/1/04
Thaw conditions prevail with rain dying out.  Wet snow
instabilities will persist on all aspects but particularly on 
steepest North East through East to South East slopes above 800 
metres.  The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). A
residual hazard will exist from any cornices.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover much depleted below 
800 metres.
ICING: Pretty much wiped out.
COMMENT: Thaw will continue to make for limited winter
sporting opportunities!
 



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