NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 16/2/98 Rain, somewhat colder temperatures and a trace of snow above 1100m have brought little change to the very patchy, stable snowpack. The avalanche hazard remains Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 17/2/98 The return of milder conditions and light rain after the colder snap will again bring little change to the present Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A trace of new snow around summits after midday, otherwise just the odd snow patch of variable size. ICING: Virtually non-existent. COMMENT: Dreich day on the hill on Monday. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 16/2/98 The remaining snowpack is continuing to thaw and is generally well bonded. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 17/2/98 Mild conditions will prevail through out Tuesday. The snowpack will remain generally stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in N and E facing corries above 1000m. ICING: Temperature of +5xc expected on the summits on Tuesday. COMMENT: Limited winter climbing! GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 16/2/98 Continuing thaw conditions at all levels have further reduced and stabilised the snowpack. Deposits remain high in North to East facing corries and in sheltered summit gullies. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 17/2/98 The mild conditions will continue with rain above the summits. The snowpack will remain in a soft but stable condition.The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1) Remaining cornices will be prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 850m. ICING: Very little ice, if any! COMMENT: Winter climbing conditions poor. Caution required on ridges in gusty winds. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 16/2/98 A wet and windy day has done nothing to improve the sparse wet snowpack. Falling temperatures have firmed up remaining snow. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 17/2/98 After a brief drop in freezing levels there will be a return to thaw conditions. The snow will remain wet and soft. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very little left with most in N to E corries. ICING: None left! COMMENT: Freezing level will be around 2000m during Tuesday. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 16/2/98 The continuing mild and very wet weather has further diminished the snowpack, although at a slower rate than of late. The snowpack where it exists is generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 17/2/98 Continuing heavy rain with the freezing level rising above the summits yet again will further diminish the snowpack. The snow where it still exists will be generally stable and well bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Most snow is now under the Coire Ardair and Inner Coire cliffs, elsewhere very patchy. ICING: Virtually non-existent. COMMENT: More like spring than mid-winter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------