CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/3/98 The continuing mild, damp weather has had little affect on the snowpack which remains very well bonded and stable on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/3/98 Rain and drizzle at all levels tonight and tomorrow will maintain the stable snow conditions. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1) on all aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still retreating daily. Greatest accumulations in the gullies and hollows of Coire a' Chriochairein and the Inner Coire. ICING: None. COMMENT: Very easy gully lines still complete, but watch out for the stone fall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/3/98 The continuing mild, damp weather has had little affect on the snowpack which remains very well bonded and stable on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/3/98 Rain and drizzle at all levels tonight and tomorrow will maintain the stable snow conditions. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1) on all aspects. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still retreating daily. Greatest accumulations in the gullies and hollows of Coire a' Chriochairein and the Inner Coire. ICING: None. COMMENT: Very easy gully lines still complete, but watch out for the stone fall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/3/98 A light dusting of fresh snow still exists above 700m although it has started to thaw during the day with the arrival of warmer temperatures. This fresh snow has not resulted in any significant new snow accumulations. The snowpack stability remains good. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/3/98 A return to milder conditions with rain at all levels is expected overnight and during Friday. The snowpack will thaw and general consolidate at all levels. Localised surface instabilities will be present on some steep slopes, where the current fresh snow is present. The overall snow stability will be good. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in high N and E facing corries. ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits overnight and during Friday. COMMENT: Climbing conditions deteriorating again as the thaw conditions return. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/3/98 Greatest deposits of snow are to be found in high North to East facing corries. A trace of new snow exists on the highest tops, the snowpack is in a stable condition. Avalanche hazard Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/3/98 Showery rain overnight and on Friday at all levels will affect the area. Snowpack will become soft and moist but the stability will remain good. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800m. ICING: Trace of wet ice on rocks above 900m. COMMENT: Climbing conditions poor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/3/98 The patchy snowpack is frozen hard and stable in most locations. A few localised patches of slab lie high on a few steep, sheltered E to SE aspects and in these locations there is a Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche. Good stability prevails in all other places. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/3/98 Forecasted light patchy rain or drizzle will bring little change to stability in most locations. The recent slab deposits on E to SE aspects should exhibit some additional consolidation. Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy, and hard and icy in most areas. ICING: The snow/ice that exists is good but lacking in quantity. Usual ice pitches or ice routes notable by their absence. Only two gully lines remain unbroken in N.Corries. COMMENT: Those two gullies are, not surprisingly, quite busy at present. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 19/3/98 Remaining snow is generally well bonded and stable although rising temperatures have left lower patches softer and with a breakable crust. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 20/3/98 A return to thaw conditions with freezing levels above the summit tops leaving remaining snow to become moist and soft at all levels. New developments of ice will be liable to collapse as will the few pieces of cornices that remain. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow remaining is mainly in higher N to E corries. ICING: A few ice streaks and icicles are building but will be prone to collapse in coming thaw. COMMENT: Rock and ice fall are a hazard during thaw conditions. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------