NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29/12/04
With very strong South-Westerly winds and the freezing level
above the summits the snow has become saturated  on all aspects.
Where snow accumulations exist on aspects North-East through East
to South-West above 1000 metres, wet snow avalanches have
occurred. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30/12/04
Overnight, strong Westerly winds will continue with the freezing
level well above the summits. Tomorrow the temperatures will
become cooler and the freezing level will drop to 1200 then 1000
metres. Snow accumulations above 1000 metres and on North-East
through East to South- Westerly aspects will become more stable.
The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally a thin snow cover but where
accumulations exist the snow is deep and wet.
ICING: Thin ribbons of ice remain in the back of gullies, but for
how long ? Fingers crossed !
COMMENT: Forecasted cooler conditions may halt the disappearing
act !


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29/12/04
Rain at all levels has produced wet snow instabilities on many 
steep slopes above 1000m. The hazard is generally restricted to 
steep North-East, East and South-East aspects where existing 
windslab is present. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30/12/04
The thaw conditions will continue with rain at all levels. The 
snowpack will gradually consolidate at all levels and stability 
will generally improve. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate 
(Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels. 
ICING: Freezing level remaining high. Some thin ice still 
remains on the Ben!
COMMENT: Possibly getting colder again on Thursday 
afternoon.
 


GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29/12/04
Heavy rain and mild conditions today are saturating the snowpack
at all levels. Wet snow instabilities exist within the snowpack
on steeper North through to South-East slopes and gullies mainly
above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category
3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30/12/04
Mild and very wet conditions will continue to affect the area for
much of the period but cooler conditions later on Thursday will
bring some relief to the current thaw. Wet snow instabilities
will exist mainly on slopes above 900 metres with a gradual
stabilisation of the existing snow occuring with lowering
temperatures later in the day. Avalanches are likely where deep
wet snow accumulations exist on steep slopes. The greatest hazard
will be on North to East facing slopes and gullies The avalanche
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Snow above 600 metres.
ICING: Thawing ice above 600 metres.  
COMMENT: Mild wet and windy for much of period.



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29/12/04
Snow is thawing at all levels.  Above 800 metres on NE to SE 
aspects deeper areas of snow have retained poorly bonded 
layers.  These areas are generally avoidable.  The avalanche 
hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30/12/04
The thaw will continue at all levels overnight and well into the 
day before the freezing level drops to around 1000 metres.  
Largest areas of snow will be found mainly on N to E aspects 
above 900 metres.Remaining snow will be well bonded with the 
avalanche hazard Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover above 900 metres.
ICING: Poor.  Only a few thawing areas left with ice fall a main 
hazard.
COMMENT: Lochnagar gullies are still lacking depth.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29/12/04
Mild and wet conditions overnight and during Tuesday have
resulted in a much depleted and soggy snowpack. Debris from loose
wet snow avalanches was noted on steep South-East aspects above
750 metres. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30/12/04
Thaw conditions will continue overnight accompanied by heavy rain
before a return to cooler weather later on Thursday.  The cooler
temperatures will help consolidate the now sparse snowpack, but a
hazard from unstable cornices will persist above North-East to
South-East aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable
(Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Much depleted general cover.  
Access paths becoming stream beds in thaw conditions.
ICING: Poor.
COMMENT: Nothing to recommend!




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