NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 30/1/05
It has been another dry day with freezing levels remaining below
the summits.  This has led to very little change in the snowpack
which on all aspects is generally well bonded and stable beneath
the icy crust.  The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 31/1/05
Rain by early morning will be carried on strong North-West winds
and freezing levels will rise to 2000 metres.  There will be
little change in the snowpack due to the existing hard icy
surface crust and it will remain generally well bonded on all
aspects.  The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  A hard icy cover over the plateau makes easy
travel with crampons.  
ICING:  Snow-ice a bit thin but plenty of water ice around.
COMMENT: Still great care needed on steep descents such as the
Goat Track due to sheet ice conditions!




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 30/1/05
On windward slopes a thin rain crust is present above 1100m.
Elsewhere the snowpack is starting to thaw at all levels.
Snowpack stability is generally good, although surface
instabilities are developing on steeper slopes. The avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 31/1/05
Rain at all levels will continue to gradually thaw the existing
snowpack. Stability will be generally good although localised
surface instabilities will be present on steep slopes. The
avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in East 
facing corries.
ICING: Freezing level rising to around 2000m.
COMMENT: Climbing conditions generally deteriorating. 
 


GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 30/1/05
Settled and fairly cool conditions with only very light
precipitation have maintained the snowpack in a stable condition.
The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 31/1/05
Milder conditions will raise freezing levels to 2000 metres with
moderate rain at all levels on Monday. During the initial period
of rain, wet snow instabilities will form on the steepest slopes
mainly with a North-East to South-Easterly aspect above 850
metres. Remaining cornices will also become prone to collapse.
Stability elswhere will generally remain good. The avalanche
hazard will be Moderate (Category 2)

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Above 800 metres on Sunday 
mainly in Northerly and Easterly facing corries.
ICING: Highest levels only on Sunday. 
COMMENT: Poor outlook for Monday, mild and wet with
North-Westerly severe gales on tops.



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 30/1/05
The freezing level stayed around 950 metres so there was very 
little change to the hard patchy snow. Greatest accumulationss
are to be found on the high plateau areas and on NE through E to
SE aspects above 900 metres. The snow remains well bonded and
stable on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 31/1/05
The freezing level will be well over the summits and there may be
some light rain. The patchy hard snow cover will gradually soften
throughout the day but it will remain generally well bonded and
stable on all aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category
1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The White Mounth has limited 
snow. The South Cairngorms have better cover.
ICING: There is still ice from 900 metres but quality is dubious.
COMMENT: Higher plateau areas still very icy underfoot.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 30/1/05
Snow stability is good in all locations.  There was a little
light drizzle at times on Sunday but this had a negligible effect
on the snowpack.  The snow surface remains hard or crusty at high
elevations but is softer on East to South aspects below 800
metres.  The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 31/1/05
Rain and mild temperatures are forecast for Monday.  Some
significant depletion of existing old snow deposits can be
expected below 800 metres on slopes of all aspects.  Rain will
lubricate and add weight to the snowpack which may result in some
glide cracks opening up on very steep ground by the end of the
day.  The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thaw conditions and rain will strip 
back the snowpack to major patches above 800m.
ICING:  Will require a re-freeze after Monday's thaw.
COMMENT: 2000m freezing level forecast.




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