NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 27/2/98
 Some drifting of new windblown snow has occured in sheltered
locations at highest elevations. New snow instabilities exist within
these deposits, which lie primarily above 1000m, on steep NE
through to SE aspects. Avalanche hazard Moderate (Category 2 )

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 28/2/98
Further heavy snow overnight continuing Saturday, accompanied by
very strong NW winds will see additional build up of drifted new
snow. Where greatest accumulations develop, on steepest NE through
to SE aspects and gully heads, instability of these newest deposits
is expected. In these locations the avalanche hazard will increase
to Considerable (Category 3)

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A fresh general cover with some drifting in
sheltered locations.
ICING: Looking whiter but still little overall improvement, as yet,
to climbing conditions.
COMMENT: Can winter return?





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 27/2/98
Fresh unstable windslab has formed in sheltered NE, E and SE
locations. This windslab is localised and restricted to the tops of
gullies and where it overlies old frozen snow. In these locations
the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere a
dusting of fresh snow exists.



AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 28/2/98
Strong NW winds and fresh snow are expected overnight and during
Saturday. Areas of unstable windslab will continue to develop.
Greatest accumulations will be at the tops of NE, E and SE facing
slopes and gullies and where fresh windslab overlies old frozen
snow, above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable
(Category 3) in these locations.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Dusting of fresh snow above 300m. Remaining old
snow above 1000m on N and NE facing slopes and gullies.
ICING: Freezing at all levels on Saturday.
COMMENT: Severe wind-chill with forecast of -7xC and 40mph at summit
levels.




GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 27/2/98
New snow is lying above 300m with the greatest accumulations being
on NE -SE aspects above 800m. The strong Westerly winds are forming
localised areas of shallow windslab in sheltered areas such as
summit gullies. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) in the
localised areas where windslab has formed on old snow.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 28/2/98
Frequent heavy snow showers and a strong NW airflow overnight and on
Saturday will form accumulations of unstable windslab in sheltered
gullies and on slopes with a E to S aspect above 800m. The avalanche
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) where deeper accumulations
of weakly bonded windslab form.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 300m.

ICING: Ice forming on rocks above 800m

COMMENT: Higher buttresses have a light cover of new snow, turf is
becoming frozen. There`s hope yet!




SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 27/2/98
Very strong W to SW winds and moderate snow showers at most
levels have led to some accumulations on heather and rock. Where
new deposits overlie patchy old snow, mainly on E aspects above
950m, the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 28/2/98
The wintry conditions will continue with snow during the night
and throughout the day. On E aspects above 950m new deposits on
steeper slopes of gullies and sheltered areas will be moderately
to weakly bonded particularly where they overlie the old patchy
snow. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

                   CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow showers should improve the
current thin cover.

ICING: No ice but some wet snow sticking to buttresses.

COMMENT: Snow showers will continue with blizzards at
times.





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 27/2/98
Fresh snowfalls on strong Westerly winds have caused deep
accumulations of reasonably well bonded windslab to form on N
through to SE facing slopes above 800m.  The avalanche hazard is
Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 28/2/98
Further heavy falls of snow on a strong NW wind will continue the
build up of windslab, and further load existing deposits.  Steep,
sheltered slopes of a N through to SE aspect above 700m will be
affected. These conditions coupled with very cold temperatures mean
that there will be little consolidation of new snow and a
Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche will persist.
Avalanches are likely in the above mentioned areas.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow at all levels.

ICING: Very poor,  but likely to be building again.

COMMENT: A wild, snowy weekend in prospect.



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