NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 12/2/98
A steady thaw continues. Little snow remains, greatest accumulations
of which are on high E to SE aspects. Some slopes of these aspects
in the Loch Avon basin have creep lines and are best avoided as some
potential still exists (additional loading from continuing periods
of rain) for full depth wet release of what little snow remains.
Outwith these specific areas the avalanche hazard is Low (Category
1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 13/2/98
Continuing mild with some rain. This will sustain the current thaw.
The exact timing of full depth wet releases are notoriously
difficult to predict, where creep lines exist in the few remaining
patches of snow on steeper E to SE slopes these locations remain
best avoided. Avalanche hazard Low (Category 1)

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Only patches remaining, even in plateau areas.
ICING: All in the liquid state state at present. Impressive
waterfalls in Feith Buidhe and Garbh Uisge Beag. Buttresses are
black and dripping. Only a few easier gullies anything like
complete.
COMMENT: Not good!





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 12/2/98
The snowpack is continuing to thaw at all levels. With the
continuing rain, wet snow instabilities are beginning to develop
mainly on steep NE and E aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate
(Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 13/2/98
Very mild conditions and continuing high amounts of rain, will
prevail throughout Friday. This will continue to thaw the snowpack
at all levels. Wet snow instabilities will remain 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 i.e. 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 THU 12/2/98
Heavy thaw conditions with rain at all levels have reduced and
stabilised the snowpack. Greatest remaining deposits of snow are in
high North to East facing corries and in sheltered summit gullies.
The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). Remaining cornices are
unstable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 13/2/98
The mild wet and windy conditions will continue overnight and during
Friday and will maintain the snowpack in a soft moist and stable
condition. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). Remaining
cornices will be prone to collapse

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 800m.

ICING: Thawing ice above 900m.

COMMENT: Climbing conditions poor. Caution required on ridges in
strong winds.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 12/2/98
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 FRI 13/2/98
Persistent mild conditions with some rain will leave the depleting
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: The depleting snowpack is thawing at all levels.
There is still a bit on N to E facing corries and sheltered areas.
ICING: Now mostly of the liquid variety.
COMMENT:





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 12/2/98
Heavy rain and mild temperatures have led to some moderate bonding
at the base of the snowpack. In localised areas where these wet snow
instabilities occur on steep slopes, particularly where the snowpack
is lying over smooth rock slabs or grass, the avalanche hazard is
Moderate (Category 2). Elsewhere the remaining snowpack is well
bonded and stable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 13/2/98
Heavy rain is set to continue overnight and tomorrow with
temperatures well above the summits. The snowpack will remain
saturated with localised wet snow instabilities at the base. On
steep slopes overlying smooth slabs or grass the avalanche hazard
will be Moderate (Category 2). In most areas the snowpack will be
well bonded and stable.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Extremely sparse. Remaining snow is concentrated
in N to E facing gullies and hollows.
ICING: Devastated. Some ice remaining, but most has gone. Danger
from falling rocks and ice in Coire Ardair.
COMMENT: Swamp-like conditions on the hill and a 15m wide
landslide across the track has made for interesting walking
today!



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