NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/1/98
Some consolidation of recent windblown deposits has taken place.
Greatest accumulations lie on sheltered N through to E facing
gullies. In these locations the avalanche hazard is Moderate
(Category 2)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/1/98
Moderate to high precipation with snow overnight turning to rain on
Friday will see additional deposits of  windblown snow on primarily
N to NE facing gullies. With a rise in freezing levels well above
the summits on Friday, along with any rainfall, a period of high
instability   can be expected in these locations. Avalanche hazard
High (Category 4) on N to NE aspects where avalanches will occur.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light general cover remains down to valley floor.
Drifting in stream beds and sheltered locations.
ICING: Thin overall. Build up still improving.
COMMENT: Milder/moist mountain conditions expected.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/1/98
Fresh snow with southerly winds, have  continued to form areas of
unstable windslab on N and NE aspects. Where this unstable snow
exists the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/1/98
Thaw conditions to above the summits will lead to wet snow
avalanches occurring during the night. These avalanches will be on N
and NE aspects above 800m. During Friday thaw conditions and heavy
rain will maintain a wet and generally unstable snowpack. The
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).
Cornices will be prone to collapse.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations in N and E facing corries
above 800m.
ICING: Thawing at all levels on Friday.
COMMENT: Storm force winds and heavy rain expected on Friday.





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/1/98
New snow deposits with SW winds and cold overnight temperatures have
form large areas of unstable soft wind slab. The greatest deposits
being above 800m in gullies and sheltered hollows with NW through to
E aspect. Where windslab exists the avalanche hazard is Considerable
(Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/1/98
Further snow deposits during Thursday night will turn to rain
during Friday at all levels. This will form fresh unstable
accumulations above 800m in sheltered gullies and hollows and on
slopes with a NW through to E aspect.  With the rise in
temperature avalanches are likely  where deeper accumulations of
windslab have formed on steeper slopes and in areas such as
summit gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable
(Category 3).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500m.
ICING: Ice forming on rocks above 700m.
COMMENT:  Thaw conditions forecasted, climbing conditions  may
deteriorate rapidly. Existing windslab will require caution.






SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/1/98
The snowpack is showing signs of stabilising but there still
exist unstable accumulations on sheltered areas of N to E
aspects above 800m. Debris was noted at the bottom of several
Lochnagar gullies. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category
3). Cornices remain unstable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/1/98
A thaw at all levels will result in general consolidation of the
snowpack but  moderately to weakly bonded snow exists on steeper
areas of N aspects above 900m, where avalanches are likely. The
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will
be prone to collapse.

                   CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 800m.

ICING: Still very lean.

COMMENT: Thaw expected at all levels.




CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 8/1/98
Snowfall overnight on a strong S to SW wind has deposited deep
accumulations of very unstable windslab on NW through to E facing
slopes above 850m. Sheltered gullies and hollows are particularly
affected. The hazard of avalanche in the3ÉUareas is Considerable
(Category 3). Avalanche activity noted in the Inner Coire.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 9/1/98
A thaw at all levels overnight and tomorrow with heavy rain will
lead to wet slides and cornice collapse. NW through to E facing
slopes above 850m, where deepest accumulations of snow are present,
will present the greatest risk. In these areas the avalanche hazard
will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 500m at present, but likely to
rise quickly in the thaw.

ICING: Still thin and about to disappear.

COMMENT: Risk of cornice collapse triggering large avalanches.



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