NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 3/2/05
The current process of thawing and freezing is producing a
generally stable snowpack on aspects and altitudes where the snow
is remaining, mainly on East and Southerly slopes above 950
metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/2/05
South-Westerly winds will bring precipitation falling as rain at
all levels, turning to snow as the day progresses. Snow will
accumulate on North-Easterly aspects above 800 metres especially
in lee areas and gully tops. The avalanche hazard will be
Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet ice areas and snowfields  remain
throughout the Cairngorm plateau on S and E aspects.
ICING: Northern facing cliffs are devoid of snow.
COMMENT: Forecast colder temps with snow will give us some heart.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 3/2/05
Warm and damp conditions have continued to thaw the snowpack at
all levels. Snowpack stability remains good with localised
surface instabilities on steep slopes. The avalanche hazard is
Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/2/05
The hazard will be low on Friday morning but will rise as rain
turns to snow during the day with strong South-West winds. Areas
of windslab are expected to form during the day in sheltered
areas and on steep slopes with a North-East, East and South-East
aspect. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow remaining in East facing 
corries.
ICING: Freezing level falling slowly during Friday.
COMMENT: Colder weather expected by Saturday.
 


GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 3/2/05
Mild and damp conditions are continuing to affect the area.  The
snowpack stability is generally very good but on the steepest
slopes some shallow wet snow surface instabilities exist. The
avalanche hazard in these areas is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/2/05
Rain during Thursday night will turn to snow above 700m on Friday
with strong South-Westerly winds. The greatest accumulations of
new snow will be on NE aspects and in all sheltered hollows and
gullies. Windslab will form above 850m mainly on NE aspects and
around the tops of sheltered gullies. The avalanche hazard will
increase to Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Greatest accumulations of snow is in 
the higher Northern and Eastern corries with new snow forecast 
above 700m during Friday.
ICING: Freezing level expected to be around 700m.
COMMENT: Becoming colder, the new snow will help improve
climbing conditions.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 3/2/05
The remaining snow is well bonded and stable with a mixture of
firm and soft surface layers depending on location. Cover is
patchy with largest areas being found on the Cairngorm Plateau
and on NE to SE facing slopes above 950 metres. The avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/2/05
Showery precipitation is forecast to fall as snow above 800
metres tomorrow. This new snow will be wet, as the freezing level
will be at 1200 metres. Strong winds will accumulate deposits in
sheltered locations on N to E aspects at the highest levels only.
Where new deposits lie on a snow-ice base they will be moderately
bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Restricted to high plateau areas and 
NE to SE aspects above 950 metres.
ICING: None observed. Cooling down for the weekend.
COMMENT: Easier gullies are still holding snow on NE to SE 
aspects.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 3/2/05
The snowpack is slowly thawing at most levels but is stable. The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 4/2/05
Rain overnight, then some snow showers on Friday carried by
South-West winds will bring about new, humid windslab build- up.
Accumulations are not expected to be extensive, or particulary
deep and will be confined to steep, sheltered North to East-
facing aspects above 950 metres.  The avalanche hazard will be
Moderate (Category 2).  Cooler temperatures will firm up the
surface layers of the old snowpack in all other locations, where
stability will remain good.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Old snow patches above 800m with 
surface condition varying from mushy to crusty depending on 
altitude. 
ICING: Colder conditions forecast for the weekend. Easier 
gully lines likely to improve soonest.
COMMENT: 1200m freezing level forecast for Friday.




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