NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/1/05
Strong winds from the North-West with rain have affected the
mountains throughout the day. The moisture is penetrating the
snowpack which is primarily softening the icy crust that has been
present recently. The snowpack is generally stable with a
consistent density to the ground. The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/2/05
North-Westerly winds with rain will affect the mountains and the
freezing level will be at 1400 metres. The snowpack on all
aspects and altitudes will be affected by the moist conditions.
On mainly East to Southerly aspects above 800 metres the greater
accumulations of wet snow may become more weakly bonded. The
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet blue ice areas still remain throughout the
Cairngorm plateau and provides awkward walking.
ICING: Claggy, wet and dripping conditions await !
COMMENT: Perhaps colder at the weekend!



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/1/05
Warm temperatures are continuing to thaw the snowpack at all
levels. Snowpack stability is generally good. The avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/2/05
Warm conditions will continue with the freezing level remaining
above the summits. Snowpack stability will remain generally good.
The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels.
ICING: Freezing level remaining around 1400m.
COMMENT: The rain should clear by Tuesday morning.
 


GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/1/05
Mild and wet conditions today are reducing the snow cover at all
levels. Snowpack stability is generally very good on all but the
steepest slopes where wet snow surface instabilities are forming.
The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/2/05
It will remain fairly mild with freezing levels above the tops
for the period. Rain overnight will clear from the West by
morning to give a mainly dry day. As the drier conditions return
the snowpack will become stable on all but the steepest
North-East to South-Easterly slopes and gullies where some
surface instabilities may remain. The avalanche hazard will be
Low (Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Greatest accumulations of snow 
remain in the higher Northern and Eastern corries.
ICING: Freezing levels expected to be around 1400 metres for 
period.
COMMENT: Climbing conditions are limited due to ongoing 
thaw affecting the area. Some strong North-Westerly winds are 
expected on the tops on Tuesday. 



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/1/05
It has been a mild and damp day with the freezing level rising to
above all summits. Some thawing of the snow has occurred and much
softer surface layers are now present. Greatest cover is still to
be found on the high plateau areas and on NE to SE aspects above
950 metres. The snow is well bonded and stable on all aspects.
The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/2/05
With the freezing level at 1400 metres conditions will remain
similar with a slow thaw taking place. The remaining snow will be
well bonded and stable with greatest amounts being found on high
plateau areas and on NE to SE aspects above 950 metres. The
avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best above 950 metres on NE to SE 
aspects and on the Cairngorm Plateau.
ICING: Very limited and subject to thaw conditions.
COMMENT: Easier gullies on the higher NE to SE facing 
crags are holding on to snow.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 31/1/05
Light drizzle at all levels has left the snowpack soft and moist,
but generally well bonded on all aspects. Some glide cracks have
opened on extreme slopes, particularly convex terrain. The
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). A residual hazard from
collapsing cornices and falling ice and rocks is present in very
mild temperatures.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 1/2/05
Rain and mild temperatures are forecast for Tuesday. Depletion of
existing old snow deposits will continue at all elevations. Rain
will lubricate and add weight to the snowpack with glide cracks
continuing to open up on extreme slopes with convex terrain
remaining suspect.  The avalanche hazard will be Moderate
(Category 2). Cornices will also be prone to collapse in mild,
wet conditions.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy above 800 metres. High 
North to East facing corries hold the most.
ICING: Receiving a thrashing but hanging in there, just!
COMMENT: Freezing level of 1400 metres and moderate rain 
will result in falling debris from Coire Ardair cliffs!!




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