NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 16/3/98
Thaw conditions have prevailed for much of the period. The
snowpack remains moist/soft and generally stable. Low  (Category
1) hazard of avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 17/3/98
Fluctuating temperatures over the next period along with a small
amount of fresh snow may give rise to localised accumulations of
windblown deposits primarily on E to SE aspects. In these
locations a Moderate (Category 2) hazard will result. Elsewhere
stability will be good with the snowpack undergoing a melt-freeze
cycle.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy. Greatest  deposits exist high on N to NE
aspects.
ICING: A brief return to colder conditions but any little
improvement not expected to last.
COMMENT:





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 16/3/98
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 TUE 17/3/98
Rain will gradually turn to snow overnight before drying up early
on Tuesday morning. Later on Tuesday, mild weather is expected to
return once again. The snowpack will continue to consolidate at
all levels. Any new snow deposits are not expected to be of
significant quantity. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate
(Category 2).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main snow in N and E facing corries.
ICING: Freezing level lowering during Monday evening before rising
again to 1200m on Tuesday.
COMMENT: A slightly dryer day in prospect on Tuesday.




GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 16/3/98
The mild and wet conditions affecting the area have reduced and
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 TUE 17/3/98
Colder conditions on Monday night will give snow for a short time
above 600m. Strong Westerly winds will form areas of windslab on
NE to SE slopes and in sheltered gullies mainly above 900m. These
accumulations are not expected to be deep. The avalanche hazard
will be Moderate (Category 2) where windslab forms. Elsewhere the
old snowpack will become firmer initially.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 800m

ICING: Not a lot!

COMMENT: Poor climbing conditions, may improve slightly with colder
conditions overnight.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 16/3/98
The continuing mild conditions are leaving a wet and soft
snowpack at all levels. Most cornices have collapsed with those
remaining unstable and best avoided. The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 17/3/98
A return to colder conditions overnight will firm up the existing
sparse snowpack. Light snow showers and strong NW winds overnight
will lead to some new snow deposits on E to S facing slopes and
in sheltered areas above 900m. Although these will generally be
insignificant, these deposits will become unstable as mild
conditions return on Tuesday. The avalanche hazard will be
Moderate (Category 2) where new localised deposits are greatest.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow is rapidly disappearing at all levels,
but firming up as colder conditions return.
ICING: No climbable ice remains.
COMMENT: Rock fall still remains a hazard.





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 16/3/98
The snowpack remains soft, moist and stable on all aspects.
Largest accumulations remaining are on N through to SE slopes
above 800m. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).  Some
stonefall is occurring on the cliffs in the area.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 17/3/98
Temperatures will remain relatively mild, but some light snow on a
WNW wind may cause some very shallow deposits of fresh windslab to
form at the tops of sheltered slopes and gullies.  NE through to SE
aspects above 950m will be affected. The avalanche hazard will be
Moderate (Category 2) in the above mentioned and very localised
areas.

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Disappearing fast. Main accumulations are in the
deeper hollows and gullies above 800m.

ICING: Zilch! once again.

COMMENT: Remaining grim.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------