NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/1/98
Fresh snowfall and strong mostly NW winds has led to the development
of areas of windslab in sheltered locations. These deposits show
poor stability and were observed in many locations to be overlying
softer uncosolidated deposits. Considerable (Category 3) hazard of
avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/1/98
Further snow overnight and on Saturday with fresh to strong (mostly W)
winds, will see additional windblown deposits loading on many NE to E
slopes. In steepest sheltered aspects poor stability of newest
accumulations will exist.  Where significant deposits exist
avalanches will occur. Avalanche hazard High (Category 4)

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light general cover of fresh snow down to 500m
ICING: Still limited. Many buttresses have a plastering of new snow
and some riming.
COMMENT: Difficult walking with fresh deposits overlying boulders on
approach to Corries.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/1/98
Areas of unstable hard windslab exist, greatest accumulations being
on NE, E and SE aspects above 900m. Some surface instabilities are
also present on these aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable
(Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/1/98
Heavy snow accompanied by moderate SW winds is expected overnight
and during Saturday. Large areas of unstable snow will continue to
form, mainly on N through to E facing slopes and gullies above 900m,
greatest accumulations being on the scarp slopes. Avalanches will
occur in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be High
(Category 4).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow  at all levels during
Saturday.
ICING: Freezing at all levels on Saturday.
COMMENT: Deep fresh snow expected making walking conditions arduous.





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/1/98
Snow is lying above 700m on slopes of all aspects. There are deep
accumulations of soft unconsolidated snow in  sheltered gullies
above 800m. Windslab exists in sheltered areas in summit gullies and
slopes with a NE  to SE aspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable
(Category 3)  where windslab has formed on steeper summit slopes and
gullies.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/1/98
Strong SW winds and moderate falls of new snow, will form fresh
unstable accumulations of windslab above 800m in all sheltered
gullies and on slopes with a N to E aspect. Avalanches are likely
where deeper accumulations of windslab have formed on steeper slopes
and sheltered gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable
(Category 3). Unstable cornices above N to E slopes.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700m.

ICING: Ice on rocks above 800m

COMMENT: Cover of soft snow on higher buttresses may give some
sport. Unstable Windslab in gullies and sheltered slopes above 800m.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/1/98
Strong NW winds and snow showers have led to further deposits on
NE to E slopes above 800m. There are unstable areas on steeper
slopes in gullies and sheltered areas above 900m. Some cornices
are forming and are unstable. Where accumulations are at their
greatest the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/1/98
There will be further accumulations of snow on N to E aspects
overnight and throughout the day. Deposits will be unstable on
steep slopes of gullies and sheltered areas above 900m where
avalanches are likely. Cornices will be very unstable. The
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

                   CLIMBING CONDITIONS
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Soft at all levels and with no base.
ICING: Still very lean.
COMMENT: Climbing in Lochnagar is still very poor with
unconsolidated snow on buttresses and little ice.





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 16/1/98
Heavy snow overnight and early today together with fresh NW winds
has produced considerable drifting. This has deposited very unstable
windslab primarily on slopes facing N to SE facing slopes above
800m. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Fresh avalanche
debris was noted under gullies in Coire nan Gall.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 17/1/98
Further snow overnight and tomorrow on a strong SW wind will cause
redistribution of the existing snowpack and more very unstable
windslab to form. Slopes, gullies and sheltered hollows facing NW to
SE above 800m will be the areas of greatest hazard. Avalanches will
occur in these areas. The avalanche hazard will be High (Category
4).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 600m.

ICING: In these colder, snowier conditions the ice will be building.

COMMENT: Approaches to the Window from Coire Ardair are hazardous at
the moment. Ski touring a possibility.



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