NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/12/97
Temperatures fluctuating around zero and generally dry conditions
have brought about some further stabilisation of most recent snow on
N aspects. Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/12/97
Somewhat colder summit temperatures and generally dry conditions
will bring little or no change to current situation. Low (Category
1) hazard of avalanche.
                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable cover for time of year on plateau
areas but thin at lower altitudes.
ICING: Buttresses wet and drippy.
COMMENT: A few tyros throwing themselves at buttress routes. Gullies
narrow but some way short of being in condition.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/12/97
An overnight melt-freeze cycle has formed a thin crust on the
underlying moist snowpack above 1100m. At lower altitudes the
already sparse snowpack has thawed further. Where significant
accumulations exist they are generally well bonded and stable. The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/12/97
Moderate winds from the SE will bring no further accumulations of
snow. Below 1000m the sparse snowpack will continue to thaw,
while at higher altitudes colder conditions will further
stabilise the existing snowpack. The avalanche hazard will remain
Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy snow cover above 900m.
ICING:  Ice melting below 1100m tomorrow.
COMMENT: Little change in the current limited climbing conditions.





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/12/97
The mild conditions have caused the light dusting of snow to
recede.Isolated patches of snow exist above 900m on W through to N
facing slopes. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/12/97
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 extremely lean!





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/12/97
There are some new insignificant deposits on E aspects above
950m, but the sparse snowpack is generally well bonded. The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/12/97
Little change is expected with the current conditions leaving the
sparse snowpack stable at all levels. The avalanche hazard will
remain Low (Category 1).

                   CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: There is a very sparse snowpack above
900m.
ICING: Very lean but showing signs of improvement in
Lochnagar.
COMMENT: Little change expected.





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 21/12/97
Mild overnight temperatures have stripped the mountains of  most of
their snow cover.  Isolated patches remain above 950m. The hazard of
avalanche is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 22/12/97
Dry conditions and a continuing thaw at most levels will produce
little change to the sparse and patchy snow cover. The avalanche
hazard will be Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Sparse, patchy cover above 950m on all aspects.

ICING: Thawing today but still building slowly.

COMMENT: Good imagination needed to enjoy our winter wonderland.



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