NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 1/3/04
High pressure remains with light winds, clear skies and summit 
temperatures below zero.  Northerly aspects above 1000 metres 
are mainly scoured with small pockets of unstable slab. The 
main accumulations of snow are on Southerly aspects.  Where 
tested at 1060 metres on a South-East aspect several layers 
sheared easily especially the old depth hoar above the snow-ice 
base layer.  The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).   
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 2/3/04
The cold dry weather will continue with moderate South-
Westerly winds.  Fresh slab will accumulate mainly on North 
Easterly aspects above 1000 metres.  Deep slab instabilities will 
remain on Southerly aspects above 950 metres especially on 
steep convex ground.  Isolated pockets of this instability will 
exist on other aspects.  Sun warming at lower levels will cause 
some surface weakness.  The avalanche hazard will be 
Considerable (Category 3).     

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very good ski touring on the plateau 
with a few rogue rocks.
ICING: The buttresses are very white with limited ice.
COMMENT:  Watch out for those deep slab instabilities! 

 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 1/3/04
Monday has been sunny and cold, with little change to the 
existing snowpack. Localised pockets of shallow windslab are 
present. Accumulations are mainly restricted to the tops of 
South-East, South and South-West aspects and are generally
avoidable. Shallow surface instabilities are present on steep 
slopes exposed to solar radiation. The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 2/3/04
Little change is expected overnight and during Tuesday. 
Localised areas of shallow windslab will remain at the tops of 
South-East, South and South-West aspects. Shallow surface
instabilities will develop on any steep slopes exposed to sun. 
The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover remaining in high North 
and East facing corries.
ICING: Remaining cold; ice will start to thaw at lower levels in
the sun.
COMMENT: Strong South-West winds expected. The old
snowpack will remain well frozen. Ice axe and crampons 
essential.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 1/3/04
Cold settled conditions have maintained very good stability of 
the general snowpack with a widespread frozen surface. Isolated 
areas of weakly bonded windslab exist in the most sheltered of 
areas mainly above 950 metres.  The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate  (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 2/3/04
It will remain cold overnight with freezing levels rising to 800
metres during the course of Tuesday.  Much of the snowpack will
remain firm, icy and will be very stable.  Dry conditions will
prevail but strengthening South-Westerly winds will re-
distribute snow forming areas of windslab in sheltered gullies
and on North to East facing slopes above 900 metres.  These
deposits are not expected to be extensive but bonding to
underlying snow-ice will be moderate on steeper slopes.  Slopes
exposed to the sun will soften giving some surface instabilities
later in the day.  The avalanche hazard will be Moderate
(Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly in sheltered corries and 
gullies above 850 metres. Widespread snow ice.
ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 400 metres.
COMMENT: Snowpack hard and icy, crampons and ice axe 
essential. Some good climbing conditions but mainly limited to 
the easier snow routes and frozen watercourses. 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 1/3/04
It has been a dry and sunny day. The recent deposits on SE to 
SW aspects have continued to consolidate and are moderately 
well bonded. Solar warming is causing small wet sloughs on 
steeper ground mainly from cornices. The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2). Other aspects have either thin cover or 
old frozen snow-ice.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 2/3/04
After a cold night it will be another dry day with the freezing 
level rising to 800 metres. Moderately well bonded deposits will 
be found on SE to SW aspects above 800 metres. Steeper slopes 
exposed to the sun will demonstrate some surface instability 
with small wet sluffs possible as the day progresses. The
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mostly wind scoured slopes with 
deeper drifts on SE to SW aspects.
ICING: Lean conditions persist. Thawing at lower levels today 
especially on South aspects but cold again tonight.
COMMENT: Linked ski touring available for the keen.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 1/3/04
Isolated pockets of soft slab persist on shaded mostly Easterly 
aspects above 900 metres. Field tests showed marginal stability 
with easy surface shears in the most recent deposits that lie over 
old snow-ice. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 
3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 2/3/04
It will remain settled with no new precipitation. An overnight 
frost will re-freeze snow melt.  Daytime sun will gradually thaw 
snow at lower elevations. Pockets of soft slab will persist in 
heavily shaded North East to East aspects,  The avalanche
hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Sun-affected cornices 
will remain suspect during warmer daytime temperatures.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Pockets of drifted snow below 850 
metres with a light general cover on tops.
ICING: Some development but no major improvement.
COMMENT: High level walking /touring still the best option 
for winter sport.
 



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