NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 30/12/04 Strong Westerly winds and heavy rain at all levels have left the snowpack saturated on all aspects. A weakness exists due to slush overlying the old harder snow layer. Late in the day there has been a dusting of snow from a departing front. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 31/12/04 Dry cooler conditions will move in from the West with light winds increasing from the South-West during the day. Due to the fall in temperature the snowpack will stabilise on all aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Large patches remain mainly on NE through E to S aspects. ICING: Very little exists. COMMENT: Cooler air to the rescue! LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 30/12/04 The rain has continued to stabilise the snowpack throughout the day. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Any remaining cornices are suspect. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 31/12/04 Colder temperatures overnight will further stabilise the snowpack. Snow showers with strong South-Westerly winds will build areas of windslab mainly at the tops of North-East and East slopes above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover is patchy but still remains in some gullies and sheltered locations. ICING: The freezing level is expected to drop overnight and rise to about 900m on Friday. COMMENT: Put away your wellies, it's supposed to be getting colder again. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 30/12/04 Continuous heavy rain and mild conditions have reduced the snowpack at all levels. Greatest accumulations of snow remain in the higher Northern and Eastern corries and gullies. Snowpack stability has generally become good on all but the steepest of slopes where some wet snow instabilities remain. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 31/12/04 Colder conditions overnight will start to firm up the old snow cover. During the course of Friday strengthening South-Westerly winds and snow showers will form areas of unstable windslab on top of the old re-frozen snow cover. The greatest hazard will be on North to East facing slopes and gullies mainly above 900 metres where deeper accumulations of windslab form. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 850 metres. ICING: Thawing ice above 1000 metres. COMMENT: Becoming colder than of late. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 30/12/04 Strong winds and rain have continued to thaw the snow at all levels. The patchy cover is mostly to be found on North to East aspects above 900 metres. Remaining snow is generally well bonded with the avalanche hazard Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 31/12/04 Cooler conditions will return with the freezing level dropping to 900 metres. The patchy snow which is mostly to be found on North to East aspects above 900 metres will refreeze and remain well bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy wet cover above 900 metres. ICING: Only a few thawing areas left. COMMENT: Slightly cooler over the next period. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 30/12/04 Heavy and sustained thaw conditions have depleted the snowpack up to summit level. Large patches remain on North through to Southerly aspects above 750 metres and these are now wet but moderately stabilised. Some residual cornices are present above a few steep North-East to South-East gullies and scarp slopes but most others have collapsed or slumped in the thaw. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 31/12/04 Cooler, drier conditions overnight will help consolidate the snowpack at most elevations. Some snow showers on South- West winds during Friday will lead to the development of new windslab deposits on sheltered lee slopes. By the end of the day any significant new slab will be on steep North to East aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Sustained thaw has stripped back the cover to major patches above 750m. ICING: Poor. Free water everywhere today (Thurs.) COMMENT: Bottom end of Post Face routes were significant waterfalls on Thursday. Conditions can only improve. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------