NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/3/98
Snow showers and strong mostly NW winds over the period have
maintained new snow instabilities. Accumulations of windblown
deposits exist primarily on E to SE aspects and in sheltered areas
of steep gullies above 1000m. Considerable (Category 3 ) hazard of
avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/3/98
A milder airstream with light snow showers turning to rain at all
elevations during Thursday will bring a period of instability to
all recent deposits. Where recent accumulations are greatest,
primarily on E  to SE aspects, avalanches are likely.
Considerable (Category 3 ) hazard of avalanche.With the arrival
of any rainfall cornices will become heavy and likely to
collapse.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: General covering with drifted snow down to 750m.
ICING: Fluctuating temps. will hopefully help with a recovery which
still remains limited.
COMMENT: Thursday unlikely to present favourable  conditions for
winter mountain games.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/3/98
Shallow areas of unstable surface slab are present on top of a thin
melt-freeze crust. Main accumulations of this unstable windslab are
on sheltered E and SE facing slopes and gullies, above 1000m. The
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices are
present above NE, E and SE facing slopes.


AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/3/98
Overnight and on Thursday, light snowfall with a NW wind, will
further load sheltered slopes and gullies, with unstable windslab.
Main accumulations will be above 1000m, on slopes facing E and SE.
As Thursday progresses a rapid rise in temperature will introduce
wet snow instabilities at all levels. Wet snow avalanches are likely
later in the day, on steep slopes facing NE through to SE, where the
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will
thaw and be prone to collapse.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations of snow are above 600m.
ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits during Thursday
afternoon.
COMMENT: Hazard of falling ice on many routes later in the day as
the temperatures increase.





GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/3/98
Lower overnight temperatures have left the moist snowpack with a
refrozen  surface crust. Light accumulations of new snow and
North-Westerly winds have formed localised deposits of windslab
in sheltered gullies and on slopes with a NE to SE aspect mainly
above 850m. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2) where
these accumulations of windslab have formed.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/3/98
More snow showers and fresh North-Westerly winds will form fresh
accumulations of weakly bonded windslab on slopes with a NE
through to SE apect and also in sheltered gullies above 800m.
Where deeper accumulations of windslab form in these locations
the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500m

ICING: Ice on rocks above 600m

COMMENT: Becoming warmer during Thursday morning, climbing
conditions may start to deteriorate as freezing levels rise. Best
prospects on the higher routes.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 11/3/98
Strong NW winds, a little new snow and redistributed snow have
resulted in some accumulations on S to E aspects. Unstable areas
exist at the tops of E aspects otherwise the snowpack is
moderately bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category
3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 12/3/98
Light snow showers in W to NW winds will leave some deposits on
SE to E aspects. As the freezing level rises to above the summits
there will be a period of instability on steeper slopes of E
aspects where the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category
3). Any cornices will be prone to collapse.

                   CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow is much firmer at all levels.
ICING: Remains lean.
COMMENT: Freezing levels expected to be around 1400m.





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS  WED 11/3/98
Light snow showers overnight and more prolonged, heavier showers
this afternoon on a strong NW wind have deposited localised
accumulations of unstable windslab. The areas most affected are
steep slopes, gullies and sheltered hollows facing N to SE above
800m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK  THU 12/3/98
Light snow overnight and tomorrow on strong NW winds will deposit
more windslab on slopes and gullies facing N to SE above 800m. As
the day progresses the freezing level will rise to around 1100m,
gradually bringing some consolidation to the snowpack. The avalanche
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 500m.

ICING: It looks as if all the ice remains buried under snow of
questionable quality.

COMMENT:



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