GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 25/12/97 Light falls of snow above 800m with the greatest accumulations of new snow being above 930m in sheltered areas on slopes of all aspects. These amounts are not significant at the moment , the general snow cover is still thin.The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 26/12/97 Further showers of new snow can be expected through Thursday night and for the early part of Friday. Light accumulations of new snow above 800m on most slopes with larger deposits on the higher tops and in N facing sheltered gullies above 900m. Accumulations are not expected to be great enough to increase the avalanche hazard which will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 800m. ICING: Ice starting to reform above 900m. COMMENT: Climbing conditions lean. Most gully routes are not complete due to lack of snow. Buttresses starting to improve with a light covering of snow. `' MERRY CHRISTMAS'' sorry it's not white'rr. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 25/12/97 Overnight and during today, fresh snow has fallen down to 600m. Significant accumulations are generally above 1000m and are localised to gullies and other sheltered locations. Where this new exists in significant quantity, the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the snowpack is stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 26/12/97 Rain at all levels is expected overnight, before a return to cooler showery weather during Friday. Most of the existing fresh snow should thaw during Thursday night, before re-freezing above 1000m during Friday. Some new snow is expected during Friday although accumulations will not be significant. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying above 600m, although this is expected to thaw during Thursday evening. ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits on Thursday night and lowering to 1000m during Friday. COMMENT: Limited build-up of snow in main gullies. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS 25/12/97 Some isolated pockets of new wind blown snow exist in what is a generally very sparse winter landscape. These new deposits are rapidily consolidating. Where newest accumulations exist at the tops of mainly N facing gullies a very localised Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche exists. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 26/12/97 Showery conditions overnight and on Friday may give rise to additional deposits of snow in highest gully tops, primarily S to SW aspects. Where any significant new deposits accumulate this will give rise to Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche in these areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin generally covering in plateau areas only with a light dusting down to 800m ICING: Small quantities only. COMMENT: Little joy from Santa on the snow front..still waiting! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS 25/12/97 Some isolated pockets of new wind blown snow exist in what is a generally very sparse winter landscape. These new deposits are rapidily consolidating. Where newest accumulations exist at the tops of mainly N facing gullies a very localised Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche exists. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 26/12/97 Showery conditions overnight and on Friday may give rise to additional deposits of snow in highest gully tops, primarily S to SW aspects. Where any significant new deposits accumulate this will give rise to Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche in these areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin generally covering in plateau areas only with a light dusting down to 800m ICING: Small quantities only. COMMENT: Little joy from Santa on the snow front..still waiting! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 25/12/97 New snow on variable winds has left moderately well bonded areas of soft slab on sheltered slopes and gullies above 900m. All aspects are effected. Areas of slab are localised and can usually be avoided. Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 26/12/97 Although snow is currently falling to 500m on a SE wind, this will turn to rain overnight. Areas of slab will form on slopes of a W to N aspect above 700m before settling down in the warmer and wetter conditions. A Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche will exist in these localised areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light snow cover above 500m. ICING: Still poor, but building slowly in the recent freeze/thaw conditions. Routes are still incomplete. COMMENT: Looks like we'll lose this recent covering due to milder conditions. Merry Xmas. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 25/12/97. There have been some insignificant new deposits of snow mainly at the tops of N to NW facing slopes and gullies above 950m. The snowpack generally remains sparse and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 26/12/97. Moderate amounts of rain overnight may fall as wet snow on the very tops above 950m. Any new snow deposits will be mainly on S to SW facing slopes and sheltered gully areas. These new deposits should be generally well bonded and stable as mild weather persists. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The snowpack remains sparse, with most deposits in N to NW facing corries and sheltered areas above 950m. ICING: Very lean ice conditions showing some improvement in Lochnagar. COMMENT: `... tis the season to be jolly, trala la la la, la la la laaaaaaaa...' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------