NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 12/3/98 A period of transitional instability leading to the current thaw produced some small loose wet snow avalanches on steepest E to SE aspects. The snowpack is now becoming consolidated and generally stable.Where cornices remain above steep gully heads a Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche prevails. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 13/3/98 Thaw conditions continue with freezing level remaining around summits overnight and rising slightly higher during the day. Some light snow showers are possible overnight before turning to rain again on Friday. Once again some very small loose, wet snow slides may result from these deposits on steepest E to SE slopes above 1000m, although generally, stability is expected to continue to improve. Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche. Any cornices are best treated with caution during thaw periods. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Diminishing below 700m. ICING: Re-freeze needed before any improvement. COMMENT: Thaw conditions F.L @ 1200M Friday. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 12/3/98 Overnight snow followed by a thaw at all levels this morning has produced further instabilities within the snowpack. Greatest accumulations of unstable snow exist on NE and E aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4). Avalanche activity and cornice collapse observed on Eastern aspects on Aonach Mor. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 13/3/98 Rain at all levels is expected to continue overnight and throughout Friday. The snowpack will thaw at all levels and gradually consolidate. Instabilities will remain within the snowpack on steep NE and E aspects above 1100m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Any remaining cornices will be unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels. ICING: Thawing at all levels on Friday. COMMENT: Hazard of falling ice from routes. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 12/3/98 A rapid rise in temperature is thawing the surface layers of the snowpack and wet snow instabilities exist at all levels. Wet surface layers of snow are inclined to slide on the firmer re-frozen lower layers particularly on steep slopes on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 13/3/98 Mild conditions and rain will continue to affect the area with the freezing level well above the summits. The snowpack will consolidate as it becomes saturated but wet snow instabilities will exist throughout this period. Avalanches are likely on steep slopes on all aspects and the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Cornices will be unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 500m ICING: Thawing ice on rocks above 600m COMMENT: Climbing conditions have started to deteriorate with the freezing levels rising to above all summits. Buttresses and ridges are the safest option. SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 12/3/98 Light rain at all levels has left the snowpack wet and soft. On steeper slopes of N to E aspects, deeper accumulations are moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 13/3/98 The freezing level will continue to stay around summit tops or above with not much change to the snowpack. Most of the snow will become moderately well bonded but stability on steeper slopes of N to E aspects will remain suspect. Remaining cornices will be prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Valley snow is disappearing fast with the remainder wet and soft at all levels. ICING: What remains is wet and poor quality. COMMENT: Freezing levels are expected to be around 1400m. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 12/3/98 With a thaw at all levels ( +5C on top today) the snowpack has become soft and wet on all aspects. Unstable wet layers are evident within the snowpack and recently formed cornices are suspect. Deepest accumulations are in gullies of a N through to E aspect above 700m. Overall the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 13/3/98 With a freezing level well above the summits and further light rain, the snowpack will remain soft and will become further saturated. Unstable wet layers will persist within the snowpack and there will be an increased risk of cornice collapse. With the biggest accumulations being in gullies of a N through to E aspect above 700m, the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) in these localised areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow level rising rapidly in the thaw. ICING: After weeks of trying to build up, its quickly reverting to its liquid state. COMMENT: It looks like our old friend the catastrophic thaw is back. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------