NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 7/1/96
Rain and a rapid rise in temperature after recent snowfall
resulted in several slab and loose snow avalanches from steep N
facing aspects in Coire an-t Sneachda.  High (Category 4)
hazard of avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 8/1/96
Continued mild conditions with rain later on Monday will bring
about only moderate consolidation of the snowpack on most N
aspects. The avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable
(Category 3) in these areas.



CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:
Wet snow below 950m. Deep drifts in some locations.
ICING:
Immediate improvement unlikely in expected rain-soaked, heavy
thaw conditions.
COMMENT: High hazard of getting completely drenched on the hill
on Monday afternoon.  Sense of humour failure certain.



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 7/1/96
A fresh dusting of snow exists above 600m. Significant
accumulations are still limited to localised patches, mainly
on NW, W and NE aspects above 800m. Where these accumulations
exist, the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2 Localised).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 8/1/96
Overnight snow will continue to load sheltered areas with
windslab. Localised accumulations will be greatest on NW, N and
NE aspects above 800m. During Monday morning a thaw is expected
at all levels. This will produce localised areas of unstable
wet snow where the existing accumulations are of a significant
depth. The avalanche hazard will increase to Considerable
(Category 3 Localised) as the freezing level rises.



CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying to 600m.
ICING: Freezing level expected to rise well above the summits
during Monday.
COMMENT: Strong winds continuing.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 7/1/96
New snow above 500m has formed a thin cover on slopes of all
aspects. Deeper accumulations have formed in sheltered gullies
and slopes with a W through to NE aspect. Where these
accumulations have formed on old snow the avalanche hazard is
Considerable (Category 3 Localised)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 8/1/96
Thaw conditions with heavy rain at all levels will soften and
moisten the snowpack. Avalanche hazard will remain Considerable
(Category 3 Localised) where deeper accumulations of wet slab
lie in summit gullies and W through to NE slopes above 800m



CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 500m
ICING: Melting ice above 650m
COMMENT: Storm force winds on summits

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NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 8/1/96
Dry conditions with temperatures fluctuating around freezing
have consolidated the snowpack in most areas. Moderate
(Category 2) hazard of avalanche. Recent cornice development
noted above some gullies in the Northern Corries.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 9/1/96
Overnight rain and cool temperatures should bring little change
to the present snowpack. Moderate (Category 2) hazard of
avalanche in most locations. Some drooping cornices to be
expected above N-facing gullies.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:
Wet snow cover above 750m. Becoming patchy at lower elevations.
ICING:
Remains 'thin' on the ice pitches of popular routes. 'Mirror
Direct' in Coire an't Sneachda 'do-able' but hard. The neve in
some N-facing gullies is improving with some easier gullies now
complete.
COMMENT:
Blustery conditions likely to take the edge off enjoyment of
most mountain-based activities on Tuesday.



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 8/1/96
Above 1100m there are areas of unstable fresh windslab on NW, N
and NE facing slopes and gullies. Where accumulations are
greatest the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3
Localised).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 9/1/96
Thaw conditions to above the summits are expected on Monday
evening and during Tuesday. This will cause the snowpack to
become moist at all levels. After initial instability
overnight, above 1100m, the snowpack will begin to stabilise as
the thaw progresses. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate
(Category 2 Localised).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Limited snow cover, main accumulations on
Northerly aspects above 1000m.
ICING: Thaw at all levels on Tuesday.
COMMENT: Difficult mountain conditions continuing.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 8/1/96
Thaw conditions with heavy rain at all levels are softening and
moistening the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Considerable
(Category 3 Localised) where accumulations of wet slab
lie on older snow, mainly summit gullies and sheltered NW
through to NE slopes above 850m.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 9/1/96
The snowpack will remain soft and moist with further moderate
to heavy rain at all levels. The avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3 Localised) where wet slab remains in
summit gullies and sheltered NW through to NE slopes above 850m

CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 750m
ICING: Thawing ice above 700m
COMMENT: Poor climbing conditions due to thaw, hazard of
falling rocks and ice

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