NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 25/2/98
Only isolated patches of stable snow exist at higher elevations on
coire headwalls. Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 26/2/98
A change to colder conditions with snow showers will occur
during Thursday. Some development of windslab is expected late in
the period as conditions turn wintry with more persistent snowfall.
The avalanche hazard will increase, towards the end of the day, to
become Moderate (Category 2) in sheltered steep N through to E
facing lee slopes and gully heads where any new windblown snow
develops.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patches only high on corrie headwalls
ICING: No build up although cooler conditions returning.
COMMENT: Wintry conditions returning during Thursday.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 25/2/98
The remaining snow cover is sparse and restricted to the main
gullies of Ben Nevis and NE facing corries above 1000m. Wet and
mainly consolidated snow remains, which is generally stable. The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).


AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 26/2/98
Colder conditions are expected overnight with fresh snow during
Thursday. The existing wet snowpack will freeze at all levels. Fresh
areas of unstable windslab will develop during Thursday. Greatest
accumulations will be at the tops of NE and E facing slopes and
gullies above 900m. In these locations the avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3).


                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Remaining snow above 1000m on N and NE facing
slopes and gullies. Fresh snow expected during Thursday.
ICING: Freezing level lowering to 600m on Thursday.
COMMENT:




GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 25/2/98
The mild moist airstream has continued to influence the area with
strong SW winds. The remaining snowpack is wet but generally well
bonded and stable with the greatest accumulations being on slopes
with a northerly aspect above 850m. The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 26/2/98 Colder conditions with very
strong SW winds will start to affect the area during Thursday.
Accumulations of new snow can be expected above 600m with the
greatest deposits being on N through to E facing slopes and in
sheltered gullies above 800m. The avalanche hazard will increase
where deposits of new snow and windslab are significant.  Avalanche
hazard Moderate (Category 2).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 850m

ICING: No ice forming (yet ).

COMMENT: Storm force SW winds with new snow may create blizzard
type conditions.




SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS  WED 25/2/98
 The few remaining areas of snow are stable. The avalanche hazard is
Low (Category1)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK  THU 26/2/98
Strong SW winds accompanied by moderate snowfall will cause new snow
accumulations at most altitudes. Where these are greatest and
particularly where new slab overlies old snow on N and E facing
slopes, the avalanche hazard will become Moderate (Category 2) later
in the period.


                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Only patches remain, at present.
ICING: None left but colder conditions will help.
COMMENT: The long awaited return of winter, perhaps..





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 25/2/98
Mild, but drier conditions, have left what little remains of the
snowpack well consolidated on all aspects.  Largest areas remaining,
are at the tops of N to E facing slopes, particularly in the deeper
gullies.  The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 26/2/98
Heavy snow on very strong WSW winds will quickly form accumulations
of windslab on N through to SE facing slopes above 800m.  Where the
windslab forms on top of old existing snow ( in the deeper gullies)
there will be a Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy above 900m.

ICING: Zilch!, but should start building again on Thursday.

COMMENT: Looking more hopeful in the next few days, but don't
sharpen the crampons just yet.



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