NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/1/98
Cooler conditions have further stabilised a much reduced and
steadily thawing snowpack. A period of sleety snow showers on strong
SW winds combined to deposit some isolated pockets of well-bonded
wet snow on a few sheltered N aspects at or above 1100m. However,
this brings little change to the current Low (Category 1) hazard of
avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/1/98
Somewhat colder conditions will continue the stabilising trend into
and throughout the forecast period on Tuesday. The expected dry
conditions may change after dark when a period of moderate snow is
possible. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1) for most
of the day but will rise with the onset of precipitation.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Poor. Main accumulations of old, wet thawing snow
above 950m.
ICING: Very poor on Mon. Colder conditions likely to improve
(somewhat) the quality of remaining ice but will have only a small
influence on quantity.
COMMENT: Likely to be a little more wintry on Tues.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/1/98
Colder conditions overnight have further stabilised the snowpack. A
frozen crust was present on the snow above 1000m. As the day
progressed thaw conditions have continued at all levels. The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/1/98
A return to colder conditions will bring light snowfall overnight.
SW winds and light snowfall will form areas of fresh windslab on
summit slopes and gullies with a NE aspect. Accumulations are
expected to be shallow and localised to sheltered locations. Where
this fresh windslab exists the avalanche hazard will be Moderate
(Category 2).
Elsewhere the snowpack will be frozen and stable.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remaining snow in N and NE facing corries above
900m.
ICING: Ice re-forming on higher slopes as the freezing level drops
to around 900m.
COMMENT: Ice axe and crampons essential as icy conditions return.





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/1/98
The mild conditions have reduced and consolidated the snowpack.
Moist but generally stable snow exists mainly on NW to NE facing
slopes above 800m. In steep summit gullies the avalanche hazard is
Moderate (Category 2)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/1/98
Colder conditions overnight will stabilise the snowpack further. A
light dusting of fresh snow will accumulate in sheltered areas on
slopes facing N to NE above 800m. In summit gullies the avalanche
hazard will be Moderate (Category 2)

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800m.

ICING: Thawing ice above 900m.

COMMENT: Slightly colder overnight. Climbing conditions remain poor.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/1/98
The remaining snowpack is mainly in gullies and sheltered areas on N
to E facing aspects above 950m where it is generally stable.
The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/1/98
There will be some new deposits at the tops of gullies and sheltered
areas on N aspects but the snowpack will remain moist and generally
well bonded. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Most accumulations are in N to E facing corries
and slopes above 950m.

ICING: None left!

COMMENT:





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 12/1/98
Heavy rain and the continuing thaw have generally stabilised the
existing snowpack. On steep slopes - particularly in sheltered
gullies and hollows - facing N to E above 900m, localised areas of
unstable wet slab still remain. In these areas the avalanche hazard
is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 13/1/98
Light snow overnight on a strong SW wind will deposit localised
areas of unstable windslab on steep N to E facing slopes above 950m.
Moderate snowfall and NE winds later tomorrow afternoon will also
load S to W facing slopes above 950m with unstable windslab. In both
these areas greatest accumulations will be in sheltered gullies and
hollows. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).
Elsewhere the snowpack will be generally stable.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover above 750m, main accumulations in
gullies and hollows facing N to E.

ICING: Remaining ice is thin and sparse.

COMMENT: Falling rocks present a hazard near the Coire Ardair
cliffs.



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