NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 9/3/98
Strengthening W winds are re-depositing lying snow as new
windslab on steep, sheltered E aspects where there is a localised
but Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche. Some of this
new slab has been cross-loaded onto a few N aspects where it is
accumulating in isolated pockets. The snowpack in other locations
shows reasonable consolidation.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/3/98
Winds will continue strengthening from the S then SW with some light
snow through the period. These snow showers will combine with wind-
eroded snow from plateaux areas to create marginally to poorly
stabilised windslab on most steep N aspects where avalanches are
likely. Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche in these
locations.
                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Excellent cover of dry, cold snow on plateaux
areas on Monday.

ICING: Lacking in quantity but continues to develop in popular
climbing venues. Deep snow remains in many N-facing gullies.

COMMENT: One or two cornice 'problems' remain over some routes in
N.Corries.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 9/3/98
Cold, dry conditions have maintained the current snowpack. A thin,
stabilising melt-freeze crust exists on many aspects, particularly
those in East facing corries. Some localised deposits of soft
windslab exist mainly on NE aspects above 700m. The avalanche hazard
is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/3/98
A S to SW wind, with increasing snowfall overnight and on
Tuesday, will develop new areas of unstable windslab. This will
be present on sheltered slopes and gullies above 800m, mainly on
N and NE aspects. Where this unstable windslab is present, the
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Fresh,
unstable cornices will form above N through to E aspects.


                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover above 500m.
ICING: Freezing level rising to 1000m on Tuesday afternoon.
COMMENT: Breakable crust on many approaches to routes making walking
arduous.





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 9/3/98
A light cover of new snow is lying above 600m and has formed
localised areas of weakly bonded windslab at the tops of sheltered
summit gullies and N to E facing slopes. In these areas the
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/3/98
New snow and strong Southerly winds overnight and on Tuesday will
form further accumulations of windslab on N to E facing slopes and
in sheltered gullies mainly above 800m. Where deeper accumulations
of windslab form the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category
3). Avalanches are likely in these areas.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 300m

ICING: Ice on rocks above 600m

COMMENT: Low level ice thawing, best prospects on higher ridges and
buttresses, localised areas of windslab forming in gullies.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 9/3/98
Although cold there has been no further snowfall resulting in
very little change in the snowpack. Localised unstable areas
still remain at the tops of W to N aspects where the avalanche
hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/3/98
Snow showers and drifting snow on S winds will lead to further
windslab mainly on W to E aspects. On steeper slopes of gullies
and sheltered areas snow will be moderately to weakly bonded and
avalanches are likely. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable
(Category 3).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels, but without much of a base in
some areas.

ICING: Generally lean but improving. Turf mostly frozen

COMMENT: Deeper drifts on paths are making walk-ins hard work.
Mainly unconsolidated snow on buttresses.






CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 9/3/98
A continuing melt/freeze cycle and slightly milder temperatures
today has helped to consolidate the snowpack.  However
instabilities are still evident and deposits of windslab exist on
NW through to NE facing slopes above 900m.  Tops of steep,
sheltered slopes and gullies are most affected.  The avalanche
hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 10/3/98
Light snow overnight on a S wind, followed by heavier falls on a
strong SW wind during the day, will cause fresh accumulations of
unstable windslab to form on NW through N to E facing slopes
above 800m.  Later in the day temperatures will rise slightly
causing some consolidation but initially the avalanche hazard
will be Considerable (Category 3) with avalanches likely on the
above mentioned aspects.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 400m.  Plateau and ridges are
well covered.

ICING: Building well at base of cliffs but buried higher up.

COMMENT: Some improvement likely with thaw/freeze cycle this week.



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