NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 17/1/96
Temperatures fluctuating around freezing above 1000m and steady
thaw conditions below this elevation are maintaining a Low
(Category 1) hazard of avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 18/1/96
Milder conditions and some light to moderate rain are not
expected to bring much change to the current Low (Category 1)
hazard of avalanche.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:
Cover of thawing snow down to 950m.
ICING:
Easy gully lines remain in reasonable condition. Most other
routes remain poor.
COMMENT:
'Refugee' mountain craft groups from Glencoe and Lochaber noted
in Northern Corries. If you think conditions are bad here,
imagine what they're like over in the West.



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 17/1/96
There is a patchy cover of snow above 1000m. Greatest deposits
are confined to hollows and gullies. The snow is slowly thawing
and is generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category
1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 18/1/96
The mild weather is expected to continue overnight and on
Thursday. This will have little effect on the existing
snowpack, which will remain generally stable. The avalanche
hazard will remain Low (Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remaining snow tends to be restricted to
hollows and gullies above 1000m.
ICING: The gradual thaw of the snowpack is expected to continue
on Thursday.




GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 17/1/96
The continuing thaw at all levels has reduced much of the snow
cover which is mainly to be found above 800m in summit gullies
and N to NW facing corrie headwalls. The remaining snowpack is
generally in a soft and moist condition Where deeper deposits
of snow lie the avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 18/1/96
The strong southerly airflow with light to moderate rainfall
will maintain the snowpack in a soft wet condition. Greatest
accumulations remain in summit gullies and corrie headwalls
facing N to NW above 800m.In these areas the avalanche hazard
is Low (Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 800m in isolated areas
ICING: Patches of thawing ice above 900m
COMMENT: Poor climbing conditions due to prolonged thaw.

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