NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 17/12/97
A dusting of new snow has brought little change to avalanche
conditions.  Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche. There are a few
small, old snow patches and these have been heavily scoured
by storm force winds.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 18/12/97
Some more significant snowfall is possible later in the day and this
will be accompanied by storm force SE winds. Any new deposited snow
will be found in a few very sheltered locations on NW to N facing
aspects and at worst these should pose no more than a Moderate
(Category 2) hazard of avalanche.  Heavy scouring by local counter
winds and a rise in temperature are expected to maintain the sparse
snow cover and low hazard in all other places.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remains poor with little prospect of lasting
improvement.
ICING: Forecasted thaw conditions unlikely to improve already
limited ice! Gullies very poor.
COMMENT: Difficult mountain conditions set to continue through
Thursday.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 17/12/97
A sparse snowcover exists above 1000m. There is not sufficient snow
accumulation to constitute any significant avalanche hazard. There
are however small localised patches of windslab which are generally
confined to sheltered northerly aspects above 1100m. The avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 18/12/97
Snow is expected overnight but this will gradually turn to rain at
all levels by Thursday evening. Any fresh snow which accumulates in
the morning will soon thaw later in the day. There will be no
significant avalanche hazard. The avalanche hazard will remain Low
(Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light snowcover above 1000m.
ICING: Ice thawing at all levels during Thursday 500m.
COMMENT:





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 17/12/97
A very light dusting of snow exists above 850m. In N facing corries
there are isolated patches of old snow in sheltered gullies.The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 18/12/97
There will be shallow deposits of fresh snow on W through to N
facing slopes above 700m. During Thursday rain will strip any light
dusting of snow. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1)

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light dusting above 700m.
ICING: Ice above 900m.
COMMENT: Climbing conditions lean. Very windy.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 17/12/97
Light amounts of snow and very strong winds have led to
insignificant accumulations on a sparse snowpack. Where any new
deposits exist the avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 18/12/97
Wintry conditions overnight with a return to milder weather
during Thursday will result in a thaw of the existing sparse
snowpack. Where any new snow overlies snow ice some small sluffs
may occur during thaw conditions. The avalanche hazard will be
Moderate (Category 2).

                   CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very little snow.

ICING: Some ice forming above 700m.

COMMENT: Milder conditions expected to affect remaining
snow and ice.





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 17/12/97
Light flurries overnight and today, together with a strong E wind
have only enhanced the mediocre wintry look. Greatest accumulations
are still at the top of gullies and the summit area. The avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 18/12/97
Light snow overnight and tomorrow, with very strong Easterly winds
will lead to little change in the current snow conditions. However
where accumulations of new snow on top of old pre-existing snow are
found, particularly on N to E facing slopes above 950m,  the
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still very sparse, except in the main summit
area.

ICING: Appears to be continuing to build up.

COMMENT: It appears that this winter will test the patience of us
all, particularly as another thaw is expected late tomorrow.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------