NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 31/1/98
Stability is good in most locations. Light SW winds and snow showers
have created some isolated, localised accumulations of  moderately-
well stabilised wind slab at the very tops of some N-facing gullies.
This is easy to avoid but where build-up is greatest there is a
Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 1/2/98
Little change overnight will maintain the current avalanche
conditions.  Forecasted NW winds and snow showers may develop
localised areas of  new slab on S and E aspects later in the period.
Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche where new slab development
is greatest.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:Thin covering of fresh snow down to 700m. Hard and
icy or crusty in other areas.
ICING: Still pretty lean. Good snow-ice in gullies.
COMMENT: Loose rocks present on various popular routes due to sparse
snow conditions. N.Corries very busy with `gridlock' in some popular
gullies.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 31/1/98
There has been a light dusting of snow above 1000m. This has had no
significant effect on the existing snowpack which remains stable.
The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 1/2/98
Some light snow is expected overnight and tomorrow. Westerly winds
will cause this fresh snow to drift into sheltered locations, mainly
at the tops of summit slopes and gullies with NE, E and SE aspect.
Where this fresh windslab forms the avalanche hazard will increase
to Moderate (Category 2). On windblown slopes 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 at around 500m overnight and during
Sunday.
COMMENT: Thin climbing conditions prevail, although there are still
some ice climbs complete.





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 31/1/98
Cold dry conditions have brought little change to the snowpack.
There is a firm icy crust over stable snow ice in most locations.
The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 1/2/98
Conditions will remain cold with light snow showers above 600m.
Generally the snowpack will be firm and stable. Localised pockets of
shallow soft slab will accumulate in sheltered summit gullies. The
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2)

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700m.

ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 500m.

COMMENT: Axe and crampons essential for firm snow and icy paths.
Turf frozen but buttresses remain bare. Many ribbons of (thin!) ice
about.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 31/1/98
Overnight snowfall has left new accumulations on N to E aspects
above 900m. Most of this is bonding rapidly but on steeper slopes
of sheltered areas and gullies there are some deeper unstable
deposits where the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 1/2/98
Further light snowfall overnight and during the day will lead to
further accumulations on N to E aspects above 900m. On steeper
slopes in gullies and sheltered areas where accumulations overlie
existing snow ice and are at their greatest the avalanche hazard
will be Moderate (Category 2).

                   CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still sparse with new snow on older
snowpack. Mainly on N to E aspects above 900m. Some
unconsolidated snow on buttresses.
ICING: Not that much but reasonable quality on routes..
COMMENT: Lochnagar very busy. Climbs done include Bells, Eagle
Ridge, Parallel A+B, Parallel Buttress, Backdoor Route, Pinnacle
Face and other easier routes.





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 31/1/98
The recent cold, and settled weather has left the snowpack frozen
and well consolidated on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 1/2/98
Light snow on a SW wind will begin to form accumulations of windslab
on slopes of a N to E aspect above 800m. Deepest  accumulations will
be at the tops of gullies and in any sheltered hollows. Later in the
day the wind will swing round to the NW which will also affect
slopes of a SE aspect. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate
(Category 2) in the above mentioned areas.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy above 700m.

ICING: Still thin and building. Ice routes possible on the Post face
and in the Inner coire. Easy gullies are complete.

COMMENT: With 50 cars in the car park today, any ice has probably
been chopped to bits.



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