NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 7/2/98
Strong WSW to WNW winds and snow showers have created deep
accumulations of poorly stabilised windslab on steep, sheltered ENE
to SE aspects. Debris from  natural and  triggered avalanches
observed in Ciste Mhearad at 1000 hrs. High (Category 4) hazard of
avalanche in these and similar locations.  Wind-exposed areas
scoured down to hard or crusty snow-ice; good stability in these
places.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/2/98
Storm force WSW winds accompanied by snow/sleet showers and a rise
in temperture will bring little or no change to the stability of the
snowpack. High (Category 4) hazard of avalanche on ENE to SE aspects
where avalanches will occur. Cornices will become unstable during
the period.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Some drifting on plateau areas; scoured, icy or
crusty with rocks/heather exposed in many locations.
ICING: Easy gullies in good condition, buttresses still remain thin.
COMMENT: More wind on its way!





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 7/2/98
Heavy snowfall with Westerly winds has formed large areas of deep
unstable windslab. Main accumulations are on sheltered NE, E and SE
aspects above 750m. This unstable windslab is weakly bonded within
the snowpack. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Fresh
unstable cornices are present above Easterly aspects.


AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/2/98
Overnight snow will continue to be loaded onto all Easterly aspects
above 800m. The freezing level is expected to rise to 1300m by dawn.
Thaw conditions and rain will cause wet snow instabilities within
the snowpack. As Sunday progresses wet snow avalanches will occur on
NE, E and SE facing slopes and gullies above 750m. The avalanche
hazard will remain High (Category 4). Cornices will be prone to
collapse.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 500m. Heavy drifting of fresh
snow in sheltered areas.
ICING: Freezing level rising to 1300m by morning.
COMMENT: Hazard of falling ice and rocks as thaw conditions return.





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 7/2/98
Heavy showers have deposited fresh snow above 450m on slopes of all
aspects. On sheltered N through to E facing slopes above 800m areas
of windslab have developed. Deeper deposits are weakly bonded on
steep slopes. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/2/98
Warmer conditions will bring rain to all levels. Existing fresh snow
will become moist and heavy. Where deep wet slab lies on steep
ground avalanches will occur. In areas such as summit gullies and
corrie headwalls the avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4).
Once the snowpack is saturated it will begin to stabilise.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 450m
ICING: Ice reforming above 800m
COMMENT: Caution required on ridges in strong winds





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 7/2/98
On E aspects above 980m, the tops of gullies and sheltered areas
have unstable accumulations. These areas are showing signs of
bonding but scarp slopes and cornices are suspect. The avalanche
hazard for these areas is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/2/98
Milder conditions will leave recent deposits moderately to weakly
bonded on steeper slopes of gullies and sheltered areas on N to E
aspects where cornices will also remain unstable. Avalanches are
likely in these locations where the avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3).

                   CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mostly in N to E corries otherwise
patchy.
ICING: Still a bit lean although what`s there is good.
Footpaths are covered with water ice.
COMMENT: Lochnagar busy today with plenty of climbers doing most
of the main routes. Some routes have exits on suspect scarp
slopes and cornices.





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 7/2/98
Heavy snow on strong Westerly winds has deposited deep accumulations
of soft highly unstable windslab on slopes ranging in aspect from N
through to SE above 800m. Sheltered gullies and hollows are
particularly affected. Avalanche activity was noted on an East
facing slope at the Min Coire Window. The avalanche hazard is High
(Category 4).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 8/2/98
Further snow overnight on gale force Westerly winds will further
load existing deep deposits of unstable windslab. This coupled with
a big rise in temperature in the early hours of Sunday will lead to
high instability on slopes of a N through to SE aspect above 800m.
Tops of  sheltered slopes and gullies will be most affected. The
avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4), avalanches will occur in
the above mentioned areas.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at all levels.

ICING: Thin and buried.

COMMENT: Unstable cornices building above steep N through to SE
slopes.



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