NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 3/3/96
The snowpack is moist and generally stable in most locations.
Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche.  Some cornice, ice and
rock fall debris noted in Coire an t-Sneachda.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 4/3/96
Dry, somewhat colder conditions will re-freeze the top layers
of the snowpack in many areas. This will further stabilise the
snowpack and maintain the current Low (Category 1) hazard of
avalanche.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:
Wet snow at all levels on Sunday. Hard or crusty conditions
likely with onset of colder temps. Snow cover patchy below
700m.
ICING:
Very poor with many ice pitches streaming with water on Sunday.
Some improvement possible on Monday. Many buttress routes in
thin or poor condition. Easier gullies complete and likely to
offer the best sport.



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 3/3/96
A thin melt-freeze crust exists on top of the snowpack above
about 1150m. Above this altitude the snowpack is generally
stable. At lower elevations, the snowpack is moist and is
moderately well bonded. Where this wet snow exists, the
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 4/3/96
No new precipitation is expected and the freezing level will
remain at around 1000m. This will have little effect on the
existing avalanche hazard. Above 1000m, the snowpack will have
a frozen crust on the surface and will be generally stable. At
lower elevations, the snowpack will remain moist and be
moderately well bonded. Where this wet snow exists, the
avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2). Cornices at
lower elevations will be prone to collapse.



CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow below 1100m.
ICING: Ice above 1000m should re-freeze on Monday.
COMMENT: Walking conditions arduous at lower levels due to wet
snow underfoot.




GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 3/3/96
The mild conditions overnight have thoroughly moistened most of
the snowpack. Above 900m a small surface crust is developing. The
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) in areas such as
sheltered gullies and steeper corrie headwalls of a N to E
aspect. Cornices are soft and unstable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 4/3/96
Mild conditions will continue to affect the area. This will
maintain the soft moist snowpack. In localised areas such as
gullies and steeper N to E facing slopes where deeper
accumulations of old windslab remain the avalanche hazard will
be Moderate (Category 2). Cornices will be unstable.



CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 600m.

ICING: Thawing ice above 700m.

COMMENT: Gullies very soft and wet, buttresses and ridges still
offer good climbing.
ATDT01413348100
NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 4/3/96
Overnight frost has helped stabilise the snowpack at all
altitudes and has formed a crust at higher levels. No falling
ice was noted. Avalanche hazard Low ( Category 1 ).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 5/3/96
Variable light to moderate winds with the possibility of some
light snowfall, will produce little change in the snowpack. The
Low ( Category 1 ) avalanche hazard will continue.



CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:Sustantial accumulations still exist in
corries, gullies and on plateau above 600m.
ICING: Thawing ice should improve a little in the slightly
colder conditions.
COMMENT: Easier snow routes should improve.



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 4/3/96
A frozen crust exists on top of the snowpack above 1100m. In
some places exposed to the sun, this crust has thawed as the
day has progressed. On some N, NE and E aspects, the underlying
snow contains some instabilities. Below this altitude, the
snowpack is moist. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category
2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 5/3/96
The present northerly airflow is expected to continue with no
significant new snow. The snow surface should remain frozen
above 900m. On some N, NE and E aspects, the snow underlying
this crust will still contain some instabilities. Below 900m
and in areas exposed to the sun, the snowpack will be moist.
The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2).



CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow surface tending to soften as the day
progresses.
ICING: Ice continuing to freeze above 900m.
COMMENT: Buttress routes are proving popular.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 4/3/96
The snowpack is largely soft and moist.Above 850m particularly
in the morning a firmer crust exists.In sheltered gullies and
steep N to E corrie headwalls the avalanche hazard is Moderate
(Category 2).Warm afternoon temperatures are making cornices
soft and unstable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 5/3/96
Temperatures will fall overnight bringing a dusting of fresh
snow to 700m.This will not significantly affect the snowpack
which will be firm in the morning above 800m.Rising temperatures
will soften the snow in the afternoon making cornices unstable.
On N to E facing corrie headwalls the avalanche hazard will be
Moderate (Category 2).



CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 600m.
ICING: Thawing ice above 700m.
COMMENT: Snow firm early a.m.(Gullies) Sun warming rock in p.m.
E face Gearr Aonach bone dry! Ridges looking alpine.Stonefall
occuring in p.m.


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