NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 31/12/04
It has been a dry cold day with strong Westerly winds.  The
snowpack has frozen on all aspects but small isolated
accumulations of wind-slab were present on sheltered Easterly
aspects above 1000 metres.  On a South-East aspect at 1100 metres
tests showed instabilities within the new snow layers but these
were very shallow and easily avoidable.  The avalanche hazard is
Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 1/1/05
There will be overnight snow on strong South-Westerly winds.  New
unstable slab will accumulate in sheltered locations mainly on
North-East to South-East aspects above 900 metres.  Where this
lies over the old snow-ice  bonding will be poor.  Some rain
during the day will add to instabilities.  The avalanche hazard
will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Largest areas exist on SE aspects above 900
metres.  Very patchy on the plateau.
ICING:  Very limited with grey buttresses.
COMMENT:  Still very lean conditions.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 31/12/04
The colder overnight temperatures have frozen the wet snow
producing a stable and firm snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 1/1/05
Rain at all levels overnight will turn increasingly to snow
during Saturday with strong SW winds. Localised areas of unstable
snow will form as the freezing level lowers on Saturday.
Accumulations will generally be restricted to the tops of North-
East, East and South-East aspects above 1000m. The avalanche
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy snow cover still remains.
ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits overnight 
before lowering again on Saturday.
COMMENT: Remaining windy.
 


GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 31/12/04
The colder conditions during Thursday night and Friday morning
have stabilised the remaining snowpack with a re-frozen crust at
all levels. The greatest accumulations of snow are in the higher
Northern and Eastern corries. The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 1/1/05
Strong South-Westerly winds will bring snow showers above 1000m.
New depoits of snow are not expected to be significant. However
on N to E facing aspects above 950m some new accumulations of
snow have will form on steep slopes and in gullies.  The
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Colder conditions
can be expected towards the afternoon.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 850m
ICING: Some verglas on rocks above 500m.
COMMENT: Blustery SW to W winds with rain and snow 
showers above 1000m. These will do little to improve climbing 
conditions.

                 *****  HAPPY NEW YEAR ***** 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 31/12/04
There has been a dusting of new snow above 900 metres.  The
remaining patchy snow has re-frozen and is well bonded.  The
largest areas are to be found in sheltered locations on North to
East aspects above 900 metres.  The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 1/1/05
Overnight snow on strong winds will form unstable accumulations
in sheltered locations on mainly North-East to South-East aspects
above 950 metres.  Where new deposits acquire depth over snow-ice
bonding will be poor especially in steeper locations.  Rain on
Saturday will add further load to the surface layers.  The
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Well frozen patchy cover above 900 
metres.
ICING: Limited remnants.
COMMENT: Variable freezing level forecast for Saturday.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 31/12/04
Cold overnight conditions have led to a consolidation of 
existing snow patches at all levels. Very light snow showers this 
afternoon have left a dusting of new snow, but quantities are 
slight and of no significant hazard. The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 1/1/05
Snow showers will continue on a strong West-South-West wind 
with a gradual fall in air temperatures later in the day. Fresh 
windslab will continue to form on North through East to South-
East aspects above 750 metres. Sheltered hollows, gullies and 
Coire rims will be particulary affected with deposits deeper in 
these places. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable 
(Category 3).
    

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy above 750 metres.
ICING: None for climbing, although footpaths are badly iced in 
places.
COMMENT: Winter is slowly returning, but for how long?




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