NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 28/2/98
A general covering of fresh snow exists at all levels with only a
small amount of drifting at higher elevations. Small pockets of
less stable windblown deposits exist at highest elevations above
1000m. Considerable (Category 3) avalanche hazard on very
localised mostly SE aspects.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 1/3/98
Mostly dry cold conditions overnight with some further light snow
on freshening WSW winds later on Sunday will see additional
accumulations of windblow deposits develop. In sheltered
locations above 1000m pockets of less stable snow will prevail.
The avalanche hazard in these areas will remain Considerable
(Category 3)

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A light general covering but strong winds have
scoured many slopes at higher elevations.
ICING: Looks whiter!  Not much improvement to overall winter
condition for most routes. A little ice forming but all remains
fairly cosmetic.
COMMENT: Limited ski touring possible with an eye for a thin line
through the heather/boulders very much a pre-requisite.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 28/2/98
Areas of soft unstable windslab are present in areas sheltered
from the recent Westerly winds. Greatest accumulations exist at
the tops of E facing slopes and gullies above 1100m. In these
locations the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).
Avalanche activity observed at locations in Coire an Lochain,
Aonach Mor.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 1/3/98
Fresh snow and a strengthening WSW airflow are expected during
Sunday. Areas of existing unstable snow will remain, mainly on scarp
slopes with an E aspect. During Sunday afternoon, windslab
development will produce further areas of unstable snow on NE and E
aspects above 1000m. Avalanches are likely in these locations. Where
this unstable windslab exists the avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying at all levels. Accumulations of
old snow restricted to patches above 1000m in N and E facing
corries.
ICING: Continuing to freeze at all levels.
COMMENT: Weather expected to deteriorate during Sunday afternoon.





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 28/2/98
New snow is lying above 300m with the greatest accumulations being
on NE - SE aspects above 800m. There are localised areas of
generally shallow windslab in sheltered hollows and summit gullies.
The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) in the localised areas
where windslab has formed on old snow.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 1/3/98
Heavy snow and strong Southwesterly winds later on Sunday will form
accumulations of unstable windslab in sheltered gullies and on
slopes with a N to E aspect above 800m. The avalanche hazard will
become Considerable (Category 3) as deeper accumulations of weakly
bonded windslab form.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 300m.

ICING: Ice forming on rocks and paths above 300m

COMMENT: Higher buttresses have a light cover of new snow, turf is
becoming frozen. Mixed climbing conditions are improving.




SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 28/2/98
Moderate snow showers on NW winds have left some new snow at most
levels. On E aspects above 950m where new accumulations are at
their greatest or overlie older snow ice they are unstable. The
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 1/3/98
Colder conditions will continue with winds increasing in strength
throughout the day from the SW. On N to E aspects above 900m
deposits will be moderately to weakly bonded where they are at
their greatest or overlie older snow ice. The avalanche hazard
will be Considerable (Category 3).

                   CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snowcover is generally very thin with
some deeper drifts on footpaths.
ICING: Starting to improve again.
COMMENT: Unconsolidated snow is covering buttresses.





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS  SAT 28/2/98
Moderate snowfall overnight on a lessening W wind has given way
to a cold, but calm and sunny day. Unstable soft windslab exists
on slopes, gullies and hollows facing NE to S above 700m. The
avalanche hazard in these areas is Considerable (Category 3).
Elsewhere the snowpack is either stable or very sparse.
Avalanche debris was noted under E facing cliffs in Coire nan
Gall.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK  SUN 1/3/98
Further snowfall tonight and tomorrow on a NW wind will further
load the already unstable windslab on NE to S facing slopes and
gullies above 700m. Later in the day the wind will become more
Southerly then Westerly and increasing in strength redepositing
any new snow on to N to SE facing slopes. The avalanche hazard
will remain Considerable (Category 3).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good but soft cover on all E and S facing slopes.
Sparse elsewhere.
ICING: Ice on the path, but on the routes we doubt it!
COMMENT: Today was one of the best days of this winter, weather
wise.



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