NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS  WED 4/2/98
Strong W winds and snow showers have loaded most steep E to SE
aspects at or above 1050m with poorly stabilised windslab. The new
slab is hard and deep in places and overlies a soft, weak layer that
contains some facetted crystals. Considerable (Category 3) hazard of
avalanche in these locations. Avalanche triggered in Ciste Mhearad
at 1245hrs.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 5/2/98
Some light snow showers, turning to rain, on W then SW winds will
load E to SE-facing slopes and gullies with additional windslab for
a time. Pockets of new slab are also possible on NE aspects.
Avalanches are likely in these locations with the onset of rain and
milder temperatures. Steep E to SE aspects overhung by new cornices
will be exposed to high loading in the event of cornice collapse.
Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Heavy drifting in the most sheltered locations on
Weds.. Wind-exposed areas icy.
ICING: Remains variable. Good but heavily used snow/ice in popular
gullies.
COMMENT: Milder on Thursday





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 4/2/98
Heavy snow and strong Westerly winds have continued to load
sheltered areas with fresh snow. This snow has formed as unstable
windslab and is poorly bonded to the underlying snow layers. Main
accumulations exist at the tops of NE, E and SE facing slopes and
gullies above 900m. In these locations the avalanche hazard is High
(Category 4). Soft unstable cornices are present above these
aspects.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 5/2/98
Thaw conditions to around the summits will introduce wet snow
instabilities within the snowpack. This will maintain a high
avalanche hazard as wet snow avalanches will occur on slopes and
gullies with a NE, E and SE slope aspect. Highest hazard will be in
sheltered locations above 900m, where accumulations of fresh snow
are greatest, especially the main gullies on Ben Nevis. The
avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Cornices will thaw and
be prone to collapse.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow falling above 600m, although thaw
conditions expected.
ICING: Freezing level rising to around summit levels.
COMMENT: Hazard of ice and rock fall as thaw sets in. Main gullies
on Ben Nevis hazardous, due to wet snow avalanches.




GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 4/2/98
New snow above 850m and strong SW winds are forming areas of
windslab in sheltered locations and on slopes mainly of an NE to SE
aspect above 900m, these deposits are weakly bonded where deeper
accumulations exist. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category
3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 5/2/98
Milder conditions with light rain at all levels will soften and
moisten the snowpack The avalanche hazard will be Considerable
(Category 3) in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a NE to SE
aspect above 900m where deeper windslab exists. Avalanches are
likely in these areas. Unstable cornices above NE to SE slopes.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800m.

ICING: Ice on rocks and paths above 800m.

COMMENT:Climbing conditions will deteriorate with mild windy weather
for next few days.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 4/2/98.
Persisting cold weather and strong W winds have continued the
windslab build up mainly on E aspects. Some localised deposits also
exist on sheltered N gullies. The deposits are only moderately to
weakly bonded to existing snow ice on steep slopes above 850m. The
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere strong
winds have scoured the snowpack leaving it icy.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 5/2/98.
A steady thaw throughout the period will begin to stabilise the
snowpack. Although the areas of weakly bonded snow on steep
sheltered N gullies and E aspects above 850m will still be of
concern, especially where exposed to potential high loading from
unstable cornices. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable
(Category 3).
                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy, with most deposits in N to E facing
corries and sheltered areas above 900m.
ICING: Generally lean, and subject to thaw.
COMMENT: Buttresses holding snow and turf mostly frozen, at the
moment.........!





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS  WED 4/2/98
Driving snow on a gale force Westerly wind has led to considerable
accumulations of unstable windslab. Sheltered gullies, slopes and
hollows facing NNE to SSE above 900m are the areas of greatest
hazard. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK  THU 5/2/98
Drier conditions overnight followed by rain tomorrow, with
continuing very strong W winds, will bring a slow thaw to all
levels. Unstable wet slab will exist in gullies and on slopes facing
NNE to SSE above 900m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable
(Category 3).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Reasonable cover above 850m, but this will rise
tomorrow (5/2/98).

ICING: Still building, but will diminish during the thaw.

COMMENT: Particularly unpleasant atmospheric conditions on the hills
today. Lets hope the forthcoming  thaw will not last too long.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------