LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/3/98
Mild conditions have maintained a wet and thawing snowpack at all
levels. Wet snow instabilities remain on steep NE and E aspects
where the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Remaining
cornices are slumping and unstable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/3/98
The present warm and moist air will be replaced by a colder NW
airflow by Monday morning. Moderate snowfall above 600m and a fresh
NW wind will form areas of fresh windslab in sheltered locations.
Main accumulations will be at the tops of E and SE facing slopes and
gullies. Where this fresh unstable snow is present the avalanche
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snow will
become frozen and stable.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main snow in N and E facing corries. Fresh snow
above 600m on Monday.
ICING: Cold conditions on Monday morning will start to re-freeze
ice.
COMMENT: A return to wintry conditions during the next few days.



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NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/3/98
Steady thaw conditions have produced a moist but generally stable
snowpack. A few small cornices persist above gully tops, these
remain unstable and best avoided. Avalanche hazard Low (Category 1)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/3/98
A return to cooler conditions on Monday. A pulse of snow is expected
for a short time during the period. This may give rise to localised
accumulations of windblown deposits in sheltered areas above 1000m.
Where these deposits develop, primarily on E to SE aspects, the
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy. Wet/soft at all levels
ICING: Thaw conditions. Some improvement expected with re-freeze.
COMMENT: Cornices which are dripping and wet during thaw periods....
fall off !



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CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/3/98
The continuing thaw is further stripping the mountains of their snow
cover.  Largest accumulations remaining are on N through to SE
facing slopes above 800m.  Although the remaining snowpack is soft
and moist it is generally stable on all aspects.  The avalanche
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/3/98
There will be a return to colder conditions with rain turning to
snow on a fresh NW wind.  Existing deposits of snow will consolidate
further in the colder conditions but shallow accumulations of new
windslab will form at the tops of steep, sheltered slopes and
gullies of a N through to SE aspect above 800m.  The avalanche
hazard will increase to Moderate (Category 2) in the above mentioned
areas.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in gullies and hollows
above 800m.  Easier gullies are still complete.

ICING: Haven't seen any for days and not likely to be up to much.

COMMENT: Hopefully there will be some improvement with the return to
colder conditions.



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GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/3/98
The mild Westerly airflow affecting the area has stablised much of
the snowpack which is in a generally soft and moist condition. Some
localised areas of moderately bonded wet snow remain on steep North
and East slopes and gullies above 900m. The avalanche hazard is
Moderate (Category 2) in these areas.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/3/98 Colder conditions on Monday
will give a pulse of snow for a short time above 600m. Strong NW
winds will form areas of windslab on E to S facing slopes and in
sheltered gullies and hollows mainly above 900m. These deposits are
not expected to be deep. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate
(Category 2) where windslab forms, elsewhere the old snowpack will
become firmer.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700m

ICING: Thawing ice on rocks above 900m

COMMENT: Climbing conditions will start to improve on higher areas
with colder conditions on Monday



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SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 15/3/98
Thaw conditions are leaving a wet and soft snowpack at all levels.
Any remaining cornices are sagging and prone to collapse. The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 16/3/98
A return to colder conditions during Monday. Will firm up the
existing sparse snowpack. Light snow showers and strong NW winds
will lead to some new deposits in sheltered areas. Although these
will generally be insignificant, some localised deposits may form on
E to S facing slopes above 900m where the avalanche hazard will
become Moderate (Category 2).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow is rapidly disappearing at all levels.
Firming up as colder conditions return.
ICING: What little remains will begin to freeze on Monday.
COMMENT: Freezing level dropping to 900m on Monday.



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