NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/12/04
Warmer South-West winds with rain at all levels have been crossing
the mountains. Weaknesses still remain in the snowpack especially
with a layer of faceted crystals being observed at approximately
100cm down. Snow accumulations above 900m and on North through
East to South-East slopes are affected. The avalanche hazard is
Considerable(Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 28/12/04
Overnight winds with snow showers will cross the mountains from
the West. Snow will settle above 250 metres. With colder
temperatures expected any weaknesses will remain, especially on
slopes of North-East through East to South-Easterly aspect above
900m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Mainly on NE through E to Southerly slopes,
deep in places.
ICING: Bare crags with warm ground. Remnants remain in gullies
and NE aspects in corries.
COMMENT: Forcasted colder temps and more snow will help.



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/12/04
Heavy rain at all levels has produced a moist and unstable 
snowpack. Main instabilities are on steep slope inclinations 
above 900m, mainly on North-East, East and South-East 
aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 28/12/04
A return to colder conditions overnight will stabilise the
existing wet snowpack. Snow showers and strong W winds will start
to form fresh areas of unstable windslab in sheltered locations.
Greatest accumulations will be on steep North-East, East and
South-East aspects above 900m, notably scarp slopes. The
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Existing accumulations mainly 
above 900m. Fresh snow expected at all levels on Tuesday.
ICING: Freezing level lowering again overnight and on 
Tuesday.
COMMENT: A surprising amount of ice starting to form on the 
Ben.
 


GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/12/04
Below 900m thaw conditions accompanied by rain have stripped most
snow from the lower slopes. Above 900m in sheltered Northerly
corries some new wet snow accumulations are present. The old wet
snowpack along with new wet snow accumulations are weakly bonded
especially on steeper slopes. In these locations the avalanche
hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 28/12/04
Snow showers will occur with strong Westerly winds during Monday night
and through Tuesday. The old snowpack will consolidate with 
colder conditions but new windslab will form in sheltered
areas.  The greatest hazard will be above 750m on N through to 
SE facing slopes and in all sheltered gullies. Avalanches are
likely especially where deep snow accumulations exist on steeper
slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Snow cover above 850m.
ICING: Thawing below 900m but becoming colder. 
COMMENT: Forecast for new snow above 200m but very 
windy conditions. Caution is required where windslab has 
formed on lee slopes.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/12/04
Thaw conditions have removed most of the snow, leaving patchy
areas above 900 metres.  Surface layers of the remaining snow are
moist but drier snow with moderately to weakly bonded layers
still exist within deeper areas.  Surface instabilies are evident
on steeper slopes and debris was noted at the foot of the Black
Spout.  The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 28/12/04
There will be a return to more wintry conditions.  Snow showers
and very strong winds will lead to rapid new accumulations on E
aspects.  Above 900 metres where these deposits form over older
re-frozen snow-ice, stability will be poor.  The avalanche hazard
will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover above 900m.
ICING: Only a few thawing areas left.
COMMENT: Lochnagar haas very poor cover: crags are mostly 
black.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 27/12/04
The upper layers of the snowpack have become soft, wet and poorly
stabilised after a mild, wet day.  Areas most affected are steep
North-East to South-East aspects above 800 metres, especially
those overhung by wet, sagging cornices.  The avalanche hazard is
Considerable  (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 28/12/04
Much colder weather with frequent snow showers will bring 
about new windslab development on all North-East to South-
East aspects above 800 metres.  Slab stability will be poor with 
avalanches likely in these locations later on Tuesday. The
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Soggy, wet snow at all elevations on 
Monday. Tuesday looking much more wintry with blizzard 
conditions at times.
ICING: Much depleted in recent thaw but some improvement in 
prospect.
COMMENT: Poor hill conditions expected on Tuesday.




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