NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 23/1/04
The freezing level remained above the tops with strong Westerly 
winds and some afternoon rain.  This made for little appreciable 
change to snowpack stability which is good.  The snow profile 
was done on an Easterly aspect at 1130 metres in 130 
centimetres of snow.  There was one dry layer near the base of 
the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).  

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 24/1/04
Light snow will fall with the freezing level at 750 metres.  The 
winds will be Westerly.  Above 900 metres there will be small 
slabs developing on Easterly aspects. With the snow falling 
during a cooling trend there will be a reasonably good bond to 
the old snow surface. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate 
(Category 2). 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Snow surface in places supports 
40kg but not 80kg; with foot penetration up to 20 cm.  
ICING: Hopefully a rebuilding cycle in sight
COMMENT:  Avalanche hazard can increase just as quickly as 
snow arrives.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 23/1/04
The continuing thaw conditions are gradually consolidating the 
existing snowpack. Snowpack stability is generally good. The 
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Remaining cornices are 
still unstable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 24/1/04
Colder conditions and snow showers are expected with 
moderate W winds. Fresh snow accumulations will generally be 
restricted to the tops of slopes and gullies with a North-East,
East and South-East aspect above 800m. The avalanche hazard
will be Considerable (Category 3). The existing old snowpack 
will re-freeze and become stable.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow expected down to 700m 
on Saturday.
ICING: Colder conditions should start ice formation again.
COMMENT: Old windblown snow will become hard frozen at 
all levels.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 23/1/04
Cooler dry conditions overnight aided consolidation of the
snowpack at higher levels. Light rain today has softened and
moistened the snowpack.  The general stability of the remaining
snow cover is good in most areas, but isolated surface wet snow
instabilities remain on the steepest slopes and gullies.  Some of
these areas, predominantly North and East facing slopes above 900
metres are threatened by potentially weak cornices. The avalanche
hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 24/1/04
Colder conditions will return overnight with moderate snowfall
and strong Westerly winds.  The old moist snow cover will firm up
as freezing levels lower to 700 metres.  Where deep windslab
forms on top of older snow-ice bonding will be poor, mainly on
slopes of a North-East to South-Easterly aspect above 750 metres,
where avalanches are likely.  The avalanche hazard will be
Considerable  (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow on the way.
ICING: Ice will start to re-form above 700 metres.
COMMENT: Frequent snow showers expected down to 400 
metres. Windslab and fresh cornices will require great caution.



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 23/1/04
There has been no change to the current situation with the 
patchy snow remaining well bonded and stable. There is very 
little snow below 900 metres with more extensive patches above 
this level. High N to E facing slopes are holding most snow with 
deeper deposits in more sheltered locations. The avalanche 
hazard is Low (Category 1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 24/1/04
It will become much colder overnight with light snow showers 
forecast for Saturday. The patchy remaining snow will re-freeze
and fresh deposits will form in sheltered locations on NE to SE 
aspects. These new deposits are not expected to be deep but they 
will demonstrate limited stability where a snow-ice base exists.
The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Large patches above 900 metres 
with high N to E facing corries holding most snow. 
ICING: None observed.  
COMMENT: Old snow should be very firm by morning.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 23/1/04
Dry and cooler overnight temperatures have aided snowpack
stability.  The snowpack is generally well bonded and stable on
most aspects.  Wet layers are still present in deeper snow on
North through East to South-East aspects above 750 metres.  The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 24/1/04
Dry, colder conditions at first will further aid remaining
snowpack stability.  Snow by morning on strong Westerly winds
will form fresh windslab on North through East to South-East
aspects above 850 metres.  Deepest accumulations will be found in
sheltered gullies, hollows and at the tops of steep scarp slopes
with marginal bonding to existing old snow deposits.  The
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy above 750 metres. 
ICING: None at present, but will reform in colder temps.
COMMENT: At last a return to more seasonal conditions!
 



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