NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/12/97
Dry conditions with slightly cooler temperatures have resulted in
the snowpack remaining sparse and stable. Low (Category 1) hazard
of avalanche

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/12/97
Moderate snow overnight with continuing snow showers and strong
SW winds on Tuesday may see the development of some snow deposits
on the highest, steep gully tops. Where this new snow build up is
greatest, in primarily N aspects, a Moderate (Category 2) hazard
of avalanche will exist.

                     CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some snow still lying in plateau areas becoming
re-frozen and icy.
ICING: Some build up developing with cooler conditions.
COMMENT: All conditions at present very much the preserve of the
winter enthusiast!





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/12/97
Slightly cooler conditions today have had little effect on the
existing stable snowpack. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/12/97
A SW airflow with fresh snow above 1000m is expected overnight and
during Tuesday. New areas of unstable windslab will develop mainly
on N, NE and E aspects above 1100m. Where this new snow overlies old
snow in significant quantities, the avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will be stable.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover exists above 1000m. New snow
expected above 1000m by Tuesday
ICING: Freezing level remaining around 1100m.
COMMENT: Limited build-up of old snow in main gullies.





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/12/97
The light dusting of snow has receded further in the continuing mild
conditions.Patches of older snow remain in gullies above 900m in N
facing corries.The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/12/97
Mild and unsettled conditions will cause the snowpack to recede
further.The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1) where
snow exists in gullies above 900m in N facing corries.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy snow above 900m.

ICING: Thawing ice above 900m.

COMMENT: Climbing conditions lean.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/12/97.
The sparse snowpack remains stable with most accumulations on N
to NW facing slopes and gully areas above 900m.  The avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/12/97.
Continuing mild conditions with minimal precipitation will lead
to little change to the current stable conditions. The avalanche
hazard will remain Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very little snow exists, apart from recent
accumulations in sheltered areas of N and NW facing slopes above
900m.

ICING: Very lean ice conditions showing some improvement in
Lochnagar.

COMMENT: Freezing level around the tops.
























CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 22/12/97
Continuing mild conditions have left only small, isolated patches of
snow on the hill above 950m. These small areas are stable and
present little risk of avalanche. Low (Category 1) hazard of
avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 23/12/97
Falls of sleet on a SE/SW wind overnight and tomorrow will enhance
the wintry appearance of the place. Deepest accumulations, if any,
will be found on sheltered NE to NW slopes above 1000m. Due to the
small amounts involved and the present scarcity of snow. The
avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Isolated patches only above 950m.

ICING: Some very thin ice remains in the back of recesses on the
cliff's watercourses. Routes are still incomplete.

COMMENT: It's a brown hell!



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