LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/2/98
The remaining snowpack is continuing to thaw and is generally well
bonded. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/2/98
Mild conditions will prevail through out Friday. 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 Friday.
COMMENT: Snow remaining in the main gullies on Ben Nevis.


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GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THUR 19/2/98
Thaw conditions with rain at all levels continue to reduce the
snowpack. Remaining deposits are generally stable and exist high in
North to East facing corries and in sheltered summit gullies. The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/2/98
Little change will occur in the snowpack as conditions remain mild
and wet. Soft wet snow will remain generally stable in sheltered
summit gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1)

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 850m

ICING: There is no ice!

COMMENT: Winter climbing conditions poor.



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SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/02/98.
A slight freeze overnight at the very tops, followed by thawing
conditions, have left the sparse snowpack stable.  The avalanche
hazard remains Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/02/98.
Continuing mild with some rain will leave the depleting snowpack
thawing at all levels. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category
1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The slight freeze overnight has left the
depleting snowpack crusty in most places. Little snow remains.

ICING: None.

COMMENT: Continuing overcast with strong SW winds.



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NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/2/98
A brief overnight re-freeze has further consolidated the remnants of
old snow. Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/2/98
Patchy drizzle and very mild temperatures will bring little change
to the stability of snow patches on N aspects. Full-depth avalanche
potential will remain on old snow on E to SE aspects. The overall
avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Isolated patches only.
ICING: Nil.
COMMENT: The `Goat Track' in Coire an t-Sneachda can be
ascended/descended without putting feet on snow. Dire conditions.



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CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/2/98
It remains very mild, (+4 on top today) with no further snowfall.
What remains of the snowpack, is consolidated and stable, with the
largest areas remaining, at the tops of easy gullies of a N to E
aspect.  The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/2/98
Unfortunately it will continue mild with a freezing level well above
the summits.  There will be little change to the sparse and stable
snow conditions, maintaining the Low (Category 1)  hazard of
avalanche on all aspects.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy above 850m.  Even the easier gullies
are incomplete.

ICING: No matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find any!

COMMENT: Small cornices remain on some N to E facing slopes.........
that's about as exciting as it gets.



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