NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 4/3/98
Reasonable consolidation of most recent deposits has taken place.
Isolated pockets of slab still do exist on steepest slopes of
various aspects above 1000m, where easy shears from stability tests
were observed. In these isolated locations a Moderate (Category 2)
hazard of avalanche prevails.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 5/3/98
A forecast of high then moderate snowfall overnight and on Thursday
accompanied by strong to fresh NW then SW winds will result in new
windslab formation. On steepest SE through to NE aspects and gully
tops avalanches are likely. Considerable (Category 3 ) hazard of
avalanche.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light general cover, still very sparse.
ICING: Some ice reforming. Conditions remain very lean, trade routes
eg Jacobs Ladder little more than a rock scramble. Conditions
somewhat better where gullies present more of an E aspect.
COMMENT: Some improvement likely with further snow and cold
conditions.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 4/3/98
Fresh unstable windslab exists on sheltered N, NE and E aspects
above 800m. Although shallow, this fresh windslab is weakly bonded
to the underlying snow layers. Main accumulations are at the tops of
gullies, where the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 5/3/98
Moderate to high amounts of snow are expected overnight and on
Thursday, with moderate W to NW winds. Fresh unstable windslab will
continue to develop in sheltered locations, mainly in NE, E and SE
facing slopes and gullies above 600m, where avalanches will occur.
The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4). Unstable cornices
will continue to form, and be prone to collapse.


                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain on sheltered NE and E
slopes.
ICING: Ice continuing to form, as freezing level remains low.
COMMENT: Ice axe and crampons essential for all hill walkers.





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 4/3/98
New snow is lying as deep layered soft slab above 800m on most
aspects of slopes.  These new deposits have drifted into gullies and
sheltered areas in many places this soft slab is lying on an icy
refrozen layer. Where these accumulations are deep and lying on
steep slopes the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 5/3/98
Cold conditions will continue bringing new snow on  strong W/NW
winds.  Areas of soft slab will exist and continue to form and build
on most sheltered slopes due to the alternating winds of the last
48hrs. Where deep soft windslab lies on steep slopes and in summit
gullies the avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 300m

ICING: Ice above 500m

COMMENT: Gullies require caution due to  soft slab.  Temperatures to
drop further. Ice runnels and frozen turf on buttresses. Some low
level gullies contain thin ice!





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 4/3/98
Strong westerly winds have been drifting recent snow  deposits
mainly onto sheltered N gullies and E slopes.  These localised new
deposits, lying on an icy crust, are only moderately to weakly
bonded, especially on steeper slopes. Snow layers below this crust
although beginning to stabilise, are still only moderately bonded.
The avalanche hazard in these areas is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 5/3/98
Moderate snowfall and strong NW winds overnight changing to SW winds
during Thursday. These varying winds will lead to localised snow
deposits in many sheltered locations, where instabilities can be
expected. Areas of greatest concern will be steep sheltered N to E
facing slopes and gullies, where avalanches are likely. The
avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Generally thin with most deposits on East slopes
and gullies.
ICING: Poor but improving. Turf mostly frozen.
COMMENT: Footpaths will be icy in places.





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 4/3/98
Westerly winds overnight and today have deposited shallow
accumulations of unstable windslab at the tops of steep N through to
SE facing slopes above 800m. Scarp slopes beneath freshly formed
cornices and sheltered gullies and hollows are most affected. In
these areas the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 5/3/98
Further snowfalls on a NW wind overnight and on a SW wind during
Thursday will continue to load existing unstable windslab deposits
on N through to SE slopes above 800m.  Steep, sheltered slopes and
the tops of gullies will be most affected.  The avalanche hazard
will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely in the
above mentioned areas.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels.

ICING: Easier climbs are complete, insufficient ice on the harder
routes.

COMMENT: Fresh cornices above Bellevue Buttress, the Inner Coire and
in Coire a' Chriochairein.



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