NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 27/1/98
A hint of a dusting of snow overnight and cold conditions have not
altered the present stable snowpack. Avalanche hazard Low (Category
1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 28/1/98
Some light snow overnight with further snow flurries on Wed may give
rise to some areas of less stable windblown deposits. These
accumulations where they develop will result in a localised Moderate
(Category 2) avalanche hazard primarily on steep SE to S facing
slopes and gully tops. Stability on all windscoured areas will
remain good.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Sparse, hard packed and icy in places.
ICING:Many small ice bosses. Remains lean overall, main gully lines
mostly ok. Frozen turf as much a feature at present.
COMMENT: Popular routes very busy on Tuesday - book early to avoid
disappointment!





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 27/1/98
The continuing cold weather is having little effect on the existing
snowpack which remains stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category
1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 28/1/98
Light snow, overnight and tomorrow, will fall at all levels.
Light Northerly winds will cause this fresh snow to drift into
sheltered locations, mainly on high slopes and gullies with a SE
and S slope aspect. Where new snow accumulations are greatest,
the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the
snow will remain frozen and stable.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in N and E facing
corries above 900m.
ICING: Freezing level remaining low on Wednesday.
COMMENT: Snow remains hard frozen. Ice-axe and crampons essential.
Water ice is present on many footpaths.





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 27/1/98
Slightly milder but cold dry conditions are still affecting the area
at present which is maintaining a stable snowpack. Water ice is
forming in many locations. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1)



AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 28/1/98
Light snow on a light NW/N wind will form new deposits of soft slab
on SE to S facing slopes. These new deposits are not expected to be
significant  but if so the risk of avalanche will increase where
windslab has formed on the old icy snowpack. The avalanche hazard
will be Moderate (Category 2) in these particular areas. The
greatest accumulations of new snow is likely to be found in gullies
and sheltered hollows  above 800m.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700m.

ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 400m.

COMMENT: The continuing colder temperatures are improving
conditions. Icy crust on much of the snow cover, axe and crampons
essential. New snow forecasted.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 27/1/98
Colder temperatures and no new snow continue to maintain the sparse
snowpack in an icy condition. Most snow is to be found on N aspects
above 900m where the avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 28/1/98
Light snow showers will leave some new accumulations on N to E
aspects above 900m during the day. These new deposits will not be
significant enough to alter the avalanche hazard which will remain
Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly on N aspects above 900m.

ICING: Continuing to build.

COMMENT: Footpaths have become very icy.





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 27/1/98
Conditions have remained cold and calm with no further
precipitation.  This has left the snowpack, frozen and consolidated
on all aspects so the hazard of avalanche is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 28/1/98
Overnight conditions will remain cold and calm, so the snowpack
will remain stable and consolidated.  During the day, light snow
on a N wind will begin to form deposits of windslab onto slopes
of a SW through to SE aspect above 800m. The avalanche hazard
will be Low (Category 1) but may increase at the tops of slopes
on the above mentioned aspects, later in the day.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy above 700m. Raeburn's, Easy, Staghorn and
Cinderella are complete.

ICING: The Wand and Glass Slipper are thin but climbable.  Last and
Centre Post routes are almost there. Pinnacle Buttress is bare.

COMMENT: Cornices remain in places, particularly in Coire Choille-
rais.



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