SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 26/12/97.
Colder temperatures overnight and strong NE winds have led to some
new deposits of  snow mainly on S to SW facing slopes above 900m.
Some localised deposits also exist in sheltered gully areas of N
facing corries. Any deposits overlying existing snow ice are only
moderately bonded. Elsewhere the snowpack remains sparse and stable.
The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 27/12/97.  Strong W winds and only
light amounts of snow above 900m will add little to the recent snow
deposits in localised gully areas above 900m. These will remain only
moderately bonded to existing snow ice, with stability improving as
temperatures rise. The avalanche hazard will remain Moderate
(Category 2).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The snowpack remains sparse, with some new snow
above 900m.
ICING: Very lean ice conditions showing some improvement in
Lochnagar.
COMMENT: Starting to look a bit more wintry!




















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LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 26/12/97
Fresh snowfall has produced new areas of windslab above 900m. In
sheltered localised areas, mainly on S and W aspects, soft windslab
exists which shows poor stability. In these locations, the avalanche
hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Hard windslab exists, mainly on
E aspects, which is generally well bonded to the underlying snow
layers.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 27/12/97
Moderate westerly winds are expected overnight with no significant
new snowfall. The existing areas of soft windslab will be
redistributed in the westerly winds. New areas of unstable windslab
will form, mainly at the tops of slopes and gullies above 1000m,
with an easterly aspect. Where this windslab exists, the avalanche
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh accumulations of new snow exist above 900m.
ICING: Freezing level remaining around 900m during Saturday.
COMMENT:



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GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 26/12/97
Light accumulations of snow are lying 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 and the general snow cover is still thin.The avalanche hazard
is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 27/12/97
Further scattered snow showers and strong Westerly winds can be
expected through Friday night and Saturday. Light accumulations of
new snow will form above 800m on  slopes of an East through to
Southeasterly aspect with larger deposits on the higher tops and in
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: 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.




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NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 26/12/97
Some fresh snow overnight has given rise to accumulations of wind
blown snow primarily on S through to E facing slopes and gullies
above 800m. Where  accumulations exist in gully tops of these
aspects a Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche exists.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 27/12/97
Further very light snow showers overnight and on Sat with strong W
winds will maintain the current avalanche conditions. Moderate
(Category 2) hazard where any significant accumulations develop in
primarily E aspects.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Improved general cover in plateau areas. Some
drifting in sheltered areas down to 700m.
ICING: Slowly improving, still very limited.
COMMENT: Slight improvement but still dreaming of a white Christmas!


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CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 26/12/97
A thaw at all but the highest levels have helped to consolidate
yesterday's new snow. However, moderately well bonded areas of soft
slab still remain on sheltered slopes and gullies above 900m. All
aspects are effected, and the hazard of avalanche is Moderate
(Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 27/12/97
Light snow overnight and tomorrow and a strengthening westerly wind
will deposit fresh accumulations of unstable windslab on NE and E
facing slopes and sheltered gullies above 850m. In these localised
areas the hazard of avalanche will be Considerable (Category 3), and
avalanches may occur.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light snow cover above 600m, greater
accumulations in sheltered gullies and hollows.

ICING: Building slowly. Routes are incomplete.

COMMENT: Refreshing wintry look to the hills.



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