LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 10/1/98 Continuing mild conditions have consolidated and stabilised the existing snowpack. Some surface instabilities are still present on steep slopes. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 11/1/98 The warm weather is expected to continue with the freezing level remaining above the summits. The snowpack will remain moist and generally stable at all altitudes. Localised surface instabilities may still be present on some steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in N and E facing corries above 800m. ICING: Freezing level remaining above the summits. COMMENT: Limited winter climbing opportunities! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 10/1/98 Heavy rain overnight and light drizzle today, has continued the thaw at all levels. The snowpack remains moderately well bonded, with the areas of greatest hazard being on steep N to E facing slopes above 850m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 11/1/98 The thaw will continue with rain at all levels tonight on light SSW winds. Moderately well bonded wet slab exists on steep slopes facing N to E above 850m are the areas of greatest hazard. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The snow cover has become very patchy, although large areas are still covered. ICING: Some thin ice remains, but is disappearing fast. COMMENT: The thaw is likely to continue for a few days yet, unfortunately. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 10/1/98 Rain at all levels is consolidating and stabilising the snowpack. Greatest accumulations lie on slopes facing NW to NE above 800m. Remaining cornices are unstable. Where deep wet snow lies in steep summit gullies the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 11/1/98 Continuing warm conditions with less rain will create little change in the snowpack. Where deep wet snow lies in steep summit gullies the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Remaining cornices will be unstable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 800m. ICING: Thawing ice above 900m. COMMENT: Remaining mild. Climbing conditions poor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 10/01/98. Very mild conditions are thawing the snow pack at all levels. The wet snow is generally well bonded and stable in most places. At the tops of some steep N to E facing slopes and gullies the surface layers are only moderately bonded. The avalanche hazard in these areas is Moderate (Category 2). Any remaining cornices are unstable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 11/01/98. Very mild conditions will continue to thaw the snowpack at all levels. What snow remains will be wet and generally well bonded except high up on N to E facing slopes and gullies where it will be only moderately bonded. Cornices will be unstable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Rock and ice fall is a hazard during thaw. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Becoming patchy, as thaw continues. Most accumulations in N to E facing corries and slopes above 950m. Still some skiing for the keen. ICING: Lean ice conditions now virtually non existent. COMMENT: ...Spring is in the air, la la, la la laaa.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 10/1/98 The upper layers of the snowpack are steadily thawing and in most places demonstrate good stability. However, N to E facing scarp slopes exposed to potential high loading from cornice collapse are the few areas of concern. Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche in these locations. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 10/1/98 The steady thaw conditions are expected to persist over the period and this will bring little change to the overall good stability of the snowpack. The collapse of any remaining cornices could exert high loading on N to E facing scarp slopes and in these locations there will be a Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche. Rock and ice fall potential also worth bearing in mind on most routes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels. Heavy thaw conditions and rain severely depleting the cover at all altitudes. ICING: Deteriorating rapidly. Falling ice a potential hazard in places. COMMENT: Little prospect of short term improvement for most winter sport activities. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------