NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 25/1/96
Some additional moderately bonded windslab has been deposited
high on some steep NW to N facing slopes and gullies where
there is a Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche. The
remainder of the snowpack is stable. Local winds have scoured
many areas of the Northern Corries below 1050m down to crusty
windslab or hard neve.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 26/1/96
Moderate to heavy snow showers on strong  winds will result in
accumulations of marginally to poorly stabilised windslab on SW
to W-facing aspects. Some similar windslab deposits may develop
at the heads of some sheltered NW to N-facing gullies.
Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche wherever new
windslab accumulations are greatest.



CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:
Snow-line remains at approx. 1000m. but may improve with more
wintry conditions. Many plateau areas plastered with rime.
ICING:
Ice is developing but in general remains poor. Buttress routes
still marginal but most easy gully lines in good condition on
Thursday.
COMMENT:
Verglas on boulders leading to some difficulty when crossing
corrie basins.



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 25/1/96
Localised areas of unstable windslab have formed in sheltered
locations and gullies, mainly on NW through NE aspects above
1000m. Largest accumulations are in Observatory Gully on Ben
Nevis. Where this unstable slab exists the hazard remains
Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 26/1/96
Fresh snow and easterly winds will further load sheltered
locations with unstable windslab. These areas of fresh unstable
snow will be present on slopes with a W through NE slope
orientation, including the Red Burn gully on Ben Nevis. Where
the fresh windslab exists the avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3).



CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A dusting of snow exists above 700m.
ICING: Ice will continue to form at all levels.
COMMENT: Crampons essential for all hill users.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 25/1/96
Light snow flurries during the day have increased the snow
cover above 450m. The general snowpack is very thin and stable
but the strong E to SE winds have deposited very localised
areas of shallow windslab on sheltered N to W facing slopes.
Where windslab overlies old snow ice in summit gullies and
corrie headwalls the avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).


AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 26/1/96
Continuing fresh snow showers along with strong winds will
continue to scour the existing snow cover and transport soft
snow on to the sheltered SW to W facing slopes and all sheltered
areas above 500m. Windslab will form in sheltered areas such as
summit gullies and corrie headwalls. Where deeper deposits of
windslab overlie the old patchy snow ice the avalanche hazard
will increase to Moderate (Category 2).




CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 300m.

ICING: Ice on paths and rocks above 300m.

COMMENT: Climbing conditions starting to improve with the new
snow cover but most routes are still very thin.

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