NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 13/2/98
The thaw continues. Snow patches in the N.Corries are now very
sparse (and stable). Largest accumulations lie on E to SE
aspects, some of these having large creep lines. The prolonged
thaw with rain means that there is full depth avalanche potential
in these places. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1) in all
other locations.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 14/2/98
Little change is expected in the present very mild, wet conditions.
Full depth avalanche potential will remain on steep E to SE aspects
but the avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1) in all other
locations.
                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very poor. A few isolated patches.
ICING: All crags black and running with water on Friday. A single
graded gully remains (just) complete in Coire an t-Sneachda. Rock
fall released Friday pm. in Fluted Buttress area.
COMMENT: Falling rocks (and ice remnants on Hell's Lum crag) a
serious consideration in present conditions.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 13/2/98
The snowpack is continuing to thaw at all levels. Wet snow
instabilities are continuing to develop, mainly on steep NE and E
aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 14/2/98
Very mild conditions and continuing high amounts of rain, will
prevail throughout Saturday. 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: Winter climbing is virtually non-existent except for the
very keen! Hazard of falling rock and ice.




GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 13/2/98
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 SAT 14/2/98
The mild wet and windy conditions will continue overnight and on
Saturday maintaining 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: Very little ice, if any!

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





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 13/2/98
The steady thaw conditions have left the sparse snowpack  wet but
generally stable. Remaining cornices are overhanging, wet and
unstable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 14/2/98
Persistent mild conditions with some rain will leave the depleting
snowpack 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.
Little snow remains.
ICING: Many gully lines incomplete, water running down the cliffs.
COMMENT: A real nightmare...
                                        



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 13/2/98
The catastrophic thaw continues.  It has left a sparse, soft and
generally stable snowpack.  Largest areas of snow remaining, is in
gullies and hollows of a N to E aspect above 850m.  There is a Low
(Category 1) hazard of avalanche in these areas.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 14/2/98
With even milder conditions and heavy rain expected the snowpack
will deplete further.   Although the remaining snowpack will be
generally stable on all aspects, any areas of snow overlying rock
slabs or smooth grass could give small, full depth slides and also
any remnants of cornices that haven't come down already will be
suspect.  Overall,  the hazard of avalanche will be Low (Category
1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy above 850m.

ICING: All gone...

COMMENT: Murky and very wet conditions today (13/2/98) but the
landslide over the Coire Ardair path cheered things up a bit.



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