NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 27/1/05
The Northerly airstream has continued with freezing rain above
1000 metres, creating an icy layer on the snow surface.  The
snowpack is generally consolidating and showed reasonable
stability when tested on a South-East aspect at 1090 metres.  The
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 28/1/05
Moderate winds will continue from the North with very light snow
falling above 800 metres.  Any accumulations will be small and
localised on mainly sheltered Southerly aspects.  The snowpack
will remain relatively well bonded above 900 metres, especially
where deep snow lies on North-East to Southerly aspects.  The
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow level down to 800 metres.
ICING:  Ice continuing to form in the subtle freeze-thaw
conditions.
COMMENT:  Protection cracks becoming ice choked.



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 27/1/05
Cooler conditions during Wednesday night have continued
throughout Thursday, with no new snow. The snowpack is generally
consolidated. Surface instabilities are present mainly on steep
slopes exposed to solar radiation. The avalanche hazard is
Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 28/1/05
The weather is expected to remain settled with the freezing level
above 1000m. Snowpack stability will be generally good with
surface instabilities persisting on steep slopes exposed to solar
radiation. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain on 
Eastern aspects.
ICING: Snow surface remaining frozen out of the sun. Thin ice 
forming in several locations.
COMMENT: Reasonable climbing conditions.
 


GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 27/1/05
Temperature fluctuations with dry and settled conditions today
have maintained the snowpack in a generally stable condition.
Some deeper accumulations of older soft slab remain in sheltered
areas above 900 metres. The greatest of these accumulations are
in sheltered gullies and slopes with a NE to SE aspect above 900
metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 28/1/05
The settled conditions will continue with just a few light snow
flurries on the tops. Slightly cooler conditions with freezing
levels of around 1000 metres overnight will further consolidate
the snowpack making general stability very good. Surface wet snow
instabilities will remain on the steepest North-East to
South-East slopes and also in sheltered gullies particularly with
the effects of solar warming. The avalanche hazard will be
Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800 metres.
ICING: Much of the ice has gone but still some on the rocks 
above 850 metres.
COMMENT: Possibility of strong Northerly winds on the tops.



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 27/1/05
It was another windy day with the freezing level around 900 
metres. Snow stability has continued to improve with a 
reasonably strong melt freeze crust present. The deeper softer 
snow has become well bonded. Snow is mostly to be found on 
NE through E to S aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche 
hazard is Low (Category 1). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 28/1/05
There will be very little change to the current situation with
the snow gradually softening as the freezing level rises to
around 1200 metres. The remaining snow will be well bonded with
largest areas on NE through E to S aspects above 900 metres. The
avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Lochnagar looking thin, easier 
gullies still holding snow.
ICING: Very icy underfoot, crags holding some ice. 
COMMENT: Higher exposed areas heavily verglassed under 
foot.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 27/1/05
Light rain and mild temperatures have left the snowpack moist,
soft but generally well bonded on all aspects. The avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1). However there is a residual risk from
falling cornice or fragile ice formations in warmer conditions.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 28/1/05
Trace amounts of new snow are expected overnight on a strong
Northerly wind. The snowpack will remain generally well bonded
and stable on all aspects above 780 metres. The avalanche hazard
will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable patchy cover above 800 
metres.
ICING: More evident with reduction of snow. Mostly snow-ice 
in evidence.
COMMENT: Slightly colder conditions on Friday with freezing 
levels expected around 1000 metres.




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