NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/2/98
Some rain and very mild temperatures are maintaining a steadily
thawing, patchy snowpack. The largest accumulations of snow lie on E
to SE aspects. Some collapse-prone cornices remain over these slopes
and in these locations there is a Moderate (Category 2) hazard of
avalanche. Stability is good in most other places.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/2/98
Forecasted very mild temperatures with some rain will sustain the
current thaw. Cornices over steep E to SE aspects will continue to
soften and become unstable, giving a Moderate (Category 2) hazard of
avalanche on the scarp slopes below them. Further depletion of what
remains of the snowpack can be expected over the period.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy everywhere. Effective snow line approx.
1030m on N aspects and 900m on E to SE aspects (and rising by the
hour!)
ICING: Continues to decline in quantity and quality. Gullies still
have some life in them for the time being.
COMMENT: Much mildness and blackness, therefore not much whiteness.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/2/98
Heavy thawing and rain to above the summits, have depleted the
snowpack. Remaining snow is mainly in N and E facing gullies
above 1000m. The snowpack is generally stable at all levels. The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/2/98
Very mild conditions and continuing high amounts of rain, will
prevail throughout Thursday. This will continue to thaw the snowpack
at all levels, some wet snow instabilities will be present on steep
NE and E facing slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate
(Category 2). There will be a hazard of full depth wet snow
avalanches where the underlying ground surface is particularly
smooth e.g. the rock slabs in Coire an Lochain of Aonach Mor.
Cornices will also continue to slump and may collapse.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in N and E facing
corries above 1000m.
ICING: Freezing level remaining well above the summits.
COMMENT: Climbing conditions likely to deteriorate in the thaw.
Hazard of falling rock and ice.




GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS  WED 11/2/98
Heavy thaw conditions with rain at all levels have reduced and
stabilised the snowpack. Greatest remaining deposits of snow are
to be found in the high NE facing corries and sheltered summit
gullies. The avalanche hazard has become Low ( Category 1 ) .
Remaining cornices are unstable .

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/2/98
Mild, wet and windy conditions will continue overnight and on
Thursday, maintaining the snowpack in a soft, moist and stable
condition. The avalanche hazard will be Low ( Category 1 ) and
remaining cornices will be prone to collapse.


                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 800m.
ICING: Thawing ice above 900m.
COMMENT: Caution required on ridges in strong winds.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/02/98
The steady thaw conditions have left the sparse snowpack very wet
but generally stable. Remaining cornices are overhanging, wet and
unstable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/02/98.
Very mild conditions with light rain and storm force winds will
leave the sparse snowpack very wet at all levels. Any remaining
cornices, mostly on N to E facing slopes will be prone to collapse.
The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: There is still a bit on N to E facing corries and
sheltered areas. Thawing at all levels.
ICING: Virtually non-existent! Rock and ice fall are hazards during
thaw.
COMMENT: ...El Nino strikes again...!





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/2/98
Heavy rain at all levels, with temperatures of plus 6 at the
summits, has saturated the snowpack. The snow has become moderately
bonded at the tops of steep gullies and hollows above 950m. In these
localised areas the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).
Elsewhere the snowpack is well bonded and stable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/2/98
The snowpack will remain saturated as heavy rain and mild
temperatures continue overnight.  This will cause the moderate
bonding of the snowpack on steep slopes at the tops of gullies
and hollows above 950m to persist. The avalanche hazard will be
Moderate (Category 2). Any existing cornices will be prone to
sudden collapse. In most areas the snowpack will be well bonded
and stable.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Coire Ardair continues to retain the most snow,
very patchy elsewhere.

ICING: Starting to melt in the continuing thaw.

COMMENT: Danger from falling ice and rocks in Coire Ardair. 


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