NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 20/12/97
Overnight snow showers have resulted in some accumulations of fresh
snow on high ground above 800m, although quantities remain generally
small. All new snow shows signs of rapid  stabilisation. Low
(Category 1) hazard of avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 21/12/97
Little change in conditions is expected, with temperatures
remaining just around freezing on the summits . Some addition of
new drizzle and /or sleety showers on moderate SW winds may cause
some new humid snow deposits on the highest, steep gully tops of
the Northern Corries and other similar N aspects. The avalanche
hazard will remain Low (Category 1) throughout.

                    CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh covering of new snow in plateau areas with
only a dusting down to 750m.
ICING: Still very lean.
COMMENT: Becoming more wintry looking in Northern Corries, with
several climbing parties noted, mostly on gully lines.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 20/12/97
Some fresh snow has fallen overnight above 900m. This snow is moist
and in most areas has little base, although in some areas it
overlies older frozen snow. Where these accumulations are deepest on
steep slopes above 1000m the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category
2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 21/12/97
There will be little change in the present conditions with the
freezing level remaining around the summits and light sleet or
drizzle falling overnight. A slow thaw will reduce and stabilise
further the current limited snowpack. The avalanche hazard will be
Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A patchy snowpack exists above 900m.
ICING: Thawing to the summits on Sunday.
COMMENT:





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 20/12/97
A light dusting of snow exists above 800m on mainly W through to
N facing slopes. Mild conditions and rain above the summits is
thawing snow and ice at all levels. The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 21/12/97
The mild conditions will continue. The existing snow cover will
recede further and ice at all levels will thaw. 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 SAT 20/12/97.
Light snow showers overnight and light S to SE winds, have led to
minimal accumulations of wet snow above 900m. Recent deposits on
N to NW facing slopes and gullies above 950m have stabilised
further during thaw. Any remaining cornices are small, but still
unstable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 21/12/97.
A slight freeze thaw cycle, with minimal precipitation will
stabilise the recent accumulations on N to NW facing slopes and
gullies above 950m. A slow thaw will continue on the very sparse
snowpack elsewhere. 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.

ICING: Very little ice exists.

COMMENT: Mostly dry; freezing level around the tops.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 20/12/97
Although a few centimetres of new snow fell last night, the effect
is mainly cosmetic. The snowpack remains thin with no real build up
and consequently not enough to present any hazard. Low (Category 1)
hazard of avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 21/12/97
Sleet on a light SW wind will add to the small accumulations that we
have already have. However it will make little difference to the
already spartan conditions and the avalanche hazard will remain Low
(Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin above 750m.

ICING:  Continuing to build nicely but still too thin for climbing
(unless you're into that sort of thing).


COMMENT: Last night's snow has given the hill a festive look about
it.



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