NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 28/1/05
Winds have continued from the North with precipitation falling as
light rain at all levels.  This rain has frozen on the snow
surface leaving an icy crust.  Beneath this the snowpack is
continuing to consolidate and has stabilised.  The avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 29/1/05
There will be some light snow on moderate winds from the
North-West.  Localised accumulations will form on sheltered
South-Easterly aspects above 950 metres but will generally be
insignificant. The snowpack will remain generally well bonded on
all aspects.  The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Snow level down to 850 metres with a hard
breakable water ice crust.
ICING:  Clear water ice riming on everything.
COMMENT:  Similar weather persisting for a few days.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 28/1/05
Conditions have remained cool and settled on Thursday night and
during Friday. The snowpack is generally well bonded and stable.
The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 29/1/05
High pressure remains in control with a moist North-West
airstream over much of Scotland. Conditions are settled, with no
new snow expected. Freezing level will remain around the summits
due to an inversion. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category
1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

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


GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 28/1/05
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 in these locations is Moderate
(Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 29/1/05
The settled and dry conditions will continue with freezing levels
of around 950 metres. General snowpack stability will be very
good in most areas but 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: Climbing conditions restricted mainly to the highest
corries due to thaw earlier in week. Recent weather has been
good, clear and sunny!



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 28/1/05
The patchy snow that exists at lower altitudes continues to thaw
slowly. More extensive areas of deeper snow can be found on NE
through E to SE aspects above 900 metres. These accumulations
have a strong crust with well bonded snow beneath. The avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 29/1/05
With the freezing level around 950 metres there will be little
change to the current situation. A gradual thaw will continue to
take place below this altitude. The largest accumulations of snow
will be found on NE through E to SE aspects above 900 metres
where deposits will be well bonded. The avalanche hazard will be
Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The South Cairngorms have 
reasonable cover. The White Mounth has limited snow.
ICING: Higher crags holding some ice but conditions remain 
lean.
COMMENT: Higher exposed areas remain verglassed under 
foot.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 28/1/05
Fluctuating temperatures and generally dry conditions have left
the snowpack with a thin, soft surface layer but well-bonded
mid-pack.  The softer surface layer has depleted in some
locations to reveal older snow-ice.  The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 29/1/05
Some very light sleety showers are possible on North-West winds.
The snowpack will again remain well-bonded and stable in all
locations above 800 metres.  The avalanche hazard will be Low
(Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Big patches above 800 metres 
mainly on North through to South-East aspects.
ICING: Quality of snow-ice varies with altitude.
COMMENT: Little variation in weather conditions expected 
for the next couple of days.




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