xNORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/2/04
There were clear skies, light winds and no precipitation.  The 
snowpack is stable with isolated pockets of slab on Easterly 
aspects above 900 metres.  There are also   remnants of surface 
hoar in some shaded locations.  The avalanche hazrd is Low 
(Category 1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/2/04
Another dry clear day is forecast with light winds.  The isolated 
pockets of slab above 900 metres on Easterly aspects require 
greater distribution and load before they are a problem.  The 
avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1) with some potential 
for snowballing sluffs on sun exposed steep ground.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Busy on and off piste. 
ICING: Turf firm; ice creeping back
COMMENT: Lots of people in the Northern Corries having a 
good day out.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/2/04
The recent dusting of fresh snow is still present above 850m. 
The old snow remains frozen and stable except in places 
exposed to solar radiation where some surface softening has 
taken place. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/2/04
The cold and settled conditions will continue with no real 
change to the current snow conditions. The snowpack will 
remain frozen and stable. Surface softening will take place on 
slopes exposed to solar radiation. The avalanche hazard will be 
Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover in high North and East 
facing corries.
ICING: Remaining relatively cold so conditions likely to 
remain the same: good snow-ice build up in many of the easier
gully lines.
COMMENT: Expect another busy day on the crags so get up 
early to beat the queues! 



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/2/04
Dry settled conditions are maintaining most of the snowpack in 
a very stable condition.  Shallow surface instabilities are 
forming on slopes affected by sun warming.   The avalanche 
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/2/04
Conditions will remain dry and settled and cold overnight but 
becoming milder during Friday. The snowpack will initially 
have a re-frozen surface in most locations. As freezing levels 
rise to around 1400 metres some softening will occur on all 
aspects.  Stability will generally remain good but some surface 
instabilities will form on slopes affected by solar warming: 
cornices above these areas will also weaken during the course of 
the day and become prone to collapse.  The avalanche hazard 
will be Low (Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly in sheltered corries and 
gullies above 850 metres.
ICING: Re-forming on rocks above 200 metres.
COMMENT: Settled weather outlook but milder than of late:
conditions limited mainly to higher easy gullies and ridges.  
Snowpack hard and icy in places on Thursday. 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/2/04
It has been another stunning day on the hills. After a hard 
overnight frost the old patchy snow is firm and well bonded. 
Areas exposed to the sun were beginning to soften this 
afternoon. Surface hoar has developed in sheltered locations. 
Largest amounts of snow are to be found on steeper N through E 
to SE facing slopes above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is 
Low (Category 1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/2/04
High pressure will continue to dominate and after another cold 
night the freezing level will rise to 1400 metres  during the day. 
The patchy remaining snow will have refrozen overnight but 
will start to soften on slopes exposed to the sun. Greatest snow 
amounts will be found on steep N through E to SE facing slopes 
above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 
1). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Largest patches in higher N through 
E to SE corries. 
ICING: Watercourses are starting to freeze in shaded locations 
but the ice remains thin. Snow ice is firm. 
COMMENT: A few easier snow gullies are just about 
complete. Turf much firmer today.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/2/04
Sub-zero temperatures overnight have re-frozen the surface of 
the snowpack.  On sun-exposed aspects the snow was wetter 
and softer.  Shaded North and East aspects remain very hard and 
tightly bonded.  The largest patches of snow are limited to 
locations above 850 metres.    The avalanche hazard remains 
Low (Category 1).  

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/2/04
Cold and dry conditions overnight will maintain a stable 
snowpack in all locations.  Shaded Northerly aspects will remain 
hard and frozen whereas patches of snow on sun-exposed 
Southerly aspects will moisten and soften by the end of the day.  
The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations exist on North 
to East aspects above 850 metres.
ICING:  A little ice development but generally very poor. 
COMMENT: Only some of the easier graded gullies providing 
sport for winter climbers.
 



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