NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 9/2/98
Rain and mild temperatures continue to moisten and thaw the snowpack
at all elevations. The cornices that remain over steep E to SE
aspects are wet, heavy and prone to collapse. There is a Moderate
(Category 2) hazard of avalanche on the scarp slopes immediately
below these cornice lines. Stability is generally good in most other
locations, although the tops of some N-facing gullies are becoming
mushy in present weather conditions.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/2/98
A dry period with somewhat colder temperatures will stabilise the
snowpack at most altitudes. Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy again but with remnants of deeper drifts
on plateaux. Wet, thawing snow at all altitudes on Monday.
ICING: Heavy thaw conditions will be briefly interrupted by a cooler
snap. Any slight improvement likely to be short-lived. Some life
left in easy gully lines.
COMMENT: Dreich.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 9/2/98
The continuing thaw conditions have started to consolidate the
existing wet snowpack. Some wet snow instabilities are still present
on steep NE, E and SE aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is
Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/2/98
Slightly cooler conditions are expected early on Tuesday morning
before a return to milder conditions later in the day. Some light
snowfall is expected above 1000m. Localised deposits of fresh
windslab will form, mainly at the tops of NE and E aspects above
1000m. Where these accumulations are of significant quantity the
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the
snowpack will be generally stable.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels.
ICING: Freezing level lowering to 1100m early on Tuesday and rising
again later in the day.
COMMENT:





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 9/2/98
The snowpack is soft and moist at all levels. Deeper snow lying on N
to E facing corrie headwalls and in summit gullies is unstable.
Remaining cornices are prone to collapse. Avalanche hazard
Considerable (Category 3)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/2/98
The mild conditions will continue to consolidate and stabilise the
snowpack. Any remaining cornices will be prone to collapse. In
summit gullies and corrie headwalls the avalanche hazard will be
Moderate (Category 2)

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 800m

ICING: Thawing ice above 900m

COMMENT: Climbing conditions poor.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 9/2/98
The present mild conditions are maintaining the moist
and soft snowpack. The snowpack is generally well bonded
only leaving some unstable snow at the tops of gullies
and small soft cornices on N to E aspects. The avalanche
hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/2/98
The mild spell will continue with little change to the
condition of the snowpack. Where wet soft snow remains
at the tops of gullies on N to E aspects the avalanche
hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). Any remaining
cornices will be prone to collapse.

                   CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Starting to recede with most in N to
E corries.

ICING: Now disappearing with any formations likely to
collapse.

COMMENT: Buttresses starting to look bare.





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS  MON 9/2/98
A rapid thaw at all levels accompanied by heavy rain and very strong
SW winds has led to the development of moderately well bonded wet
slab. Gullies and slopes facing N through to SE above 800m have the
deepest accumulations. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category
2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/2/98
The mild conditions we are experiencing will continue overnight and
on Tuesday.  There will be little change to the current snow
conditions with the deepest accumulations of moderately well bonded
wet slab existing on N through to SE aspects above 800m. The
avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 2).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still quite a lot of snow in Coire Ardair and
Inner Coire, but very patchy elsewhere.

ICING: A lot of ice around but the thaw will probably destroy this

COMMENT: Personally, we blame El Nineo or is it just a normal
Scottish winter?



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