GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/12/97 Heavy rain followed by colder conditions have reduced and stabilised the snowpack.Ocaisional showers have deposited shallow windslab in sheltered areas on N-E facing slopes above 800m.Where there is windslab in steep hollows and summit gullies the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 1/1/98 Snow showers turning to rain in the late afternoon will add further layers to existing windslab.In sheltered summit gullies these deposits may become deep.Where deeper windslab lies in steep sheltered gullies the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700m. ICING: Ice forming on rocks above 800m. COMMENT: Climbing conditions improving though still lean. HAPPY NEW YEAR! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/12/97 Thaw at all levels overnight has helped to consolidate the old snowpack, however fresh snow on a strong SW wind has formed new very unstable windslab above 900m on aspects from N to SSE. The hazard of avalanche is High (Category 4). Fresh avalanche debris was noted at Coire a' Chriochairein and Bellevue Buttress. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 01/01/98 Heavy snow overnight and tomorrow on strong S winds will further load the already very unstable windslab. The greatest risk will be in sheltered slopes and gullies facing WNW to ESE above 900m, avalanches will occur in these areas. The hazard of avalanche will be High (Category 4). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: It's snowing heavily at the Farm. ICING: Continuing to build very slowly. COMMENT: Bliadhna Math Ur (Happy New Year!). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/12/97 Overnight mild temperatures and strong winds reduced the general snow cover to mainly sheltered areas on N aspects above 950m. As morning temperatures dropped the snowpack became firm and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 01/01/98 New snow with strong S winds will leave fresh accumulations at the tops of gullies and sheltered areas on N aspects. Above 950m where the deposits overlie older existing snow ice they will be weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). All falling snow will turn to rain as temperatures rise during the day. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Above 950m, mainly on N slopes. ICING: Very little left. COMMENT: Happy New Year!!!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/12/97 A thaw at all levels last night followed by cooler temperatures during today have stabilised the existing old snow. Snow showers and strong W winds have started to form fresh areas of windslab. Significant accumulations are generally restricted to scarp slopes above 1100m, with an easterly aspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) in these locations. Elsewhere the snowpack is stable. Cornices have reformed above 1100m and are unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 1/1/98 Snow above 500m is expected overnight followed by milder weather with rain at all levels during Thursday. Areas of unstable snow will be present, mainly on scarp slopes above 1000m, with a N, NE and E aspect. Avalanches are likely in these locations during the day as the freezing level begins to rise. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornice collapse is also likely in these locations. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonably good early season cover mainly in N and E facing corries above 800m. ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits during Thursday. COMMENT: Winds increasing to storm force during Thursday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 31/12/97 Colder conditions with no further snow and strong W winds have resulted in many exposed slopes being scoured hard. Although some small pockets of windblown snow exist in sheltered E aspects stability is generally very good. Avalanche hazard Low (Category 1) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 01/01/98 A very stormy period overnight and tomorrow with some snow and hurricane force SW/S summit winds will blast all but exceptionally sheltered locations clean of any new snow accumulations. Where any snow does accumulate in sheltered E to NE locations a Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche will prevail. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very sparse, general covering remains in plateau areas. ICING: Slowly improving with periods of freeze/thaw. COMMENT: Very poor mountain conditions, with even a touch of rain towards the end of the day to cap it all! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------