NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/12/97
Snow showers after rain have resulted in some accumulations of wet
or humid snow on NW through to E aspects above 1000m, although
quantities are generally small. All new snow shows good stability.
Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/12/97
Rain and/or sleety showers on light SE to SW winds may bring about
the development of some new humid snow deposits on the highest,
steep gully tops of the Northern Corries and other similar N
aspects. Rain will deplete most recent accumulations at lower
altitudes. Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche where new snow
build up is greatest. Nil or negligible hazard in all other areas.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Areas below 1000m stripped bare by sustained
thaw. Snow showers nearer summits bringing only marginal improvement
at present.
ICING: Still very lean with little prospect of short term
improvement.
COMMENT: Not as windy but still a fairly miserable scene.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/12/97
A sparse snowpack exists above 900m. In sheltered gullies and
hollows of West, North-West and North aspects above 1000m some
deeper accumulations of fresh, wet windslab over-lie older frozen
snow. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/12/97
The mild conditions will continue, with light sleet or rain at all
levels. This will lead to little change in the existing patchy, wet
snowpack. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A patchy snowpack exists above 900m.
ICING: Some water-ice remains on some footpaths.
COMMENT: Limited climbing conditions.





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/12/97
A very light dusting of wet snow exists above 900m mainly on W
through to N facing slopes. In high N facing corries there are
isolated patches of old snow in sheltered gullies. The avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1).


AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/12/97
Milder conditions with light rain at all levels will continue to
affect the area. The existing light snow cover above 900m will
recede further and may well disappear during the course of the day.
The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS


SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light dusting above 900m.

ICING: Thawing ice above 900m.

COMMENT: Climbing conditions very lean.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/12/97.
Overnight snow showers and strong S to SE winds, have led to
moderate accumulations of wet slab and small cornice development,
on N to NW facing slopes and gullies above 900m. Thaw conditions
have caused instability of cornices, with small cornice collapse
noted on Coire Fionn, Glas Maol. The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/12/97.
Mild weather will continue to thaw the little remaining snow at all
levels. Any cornices, mainly on N to NW facing slopes and gullies
above 900m, will remain unstable. The avalanche hazard will be Low
(Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very little snow exists, apart from recent
moderate accumulations in sheltered areas of N and NW facing slopes
above 900m. Subject to thaw at all levels.

ICING: Very little ice exists.

COMMENT: Rain expected at all levels.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/12/97
Heavy rain overnight and a thaw at all levels have further
stabilised the existing snowpack. Sparse well-bonded snow cover
remains on Northerly facing aspects above 950m.  The avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/12/97
Continuing thaw at all levels will continue to consolidate the
existing snowpack. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category
1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Sparse cover on North and West facing aspects
above 950m.

ICING: Ice has continued to build on many routes but may diminish in
the thaw and is very thin.

COMMENT: Sparse and depressing.



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