NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 20/3/98
A sparse and generally stable snowpack exists. Freezing level
around the summits maintaining slow thaw conditions.Most
significant accumulations are on N to E aspects of coire
headwalls. Avalanche hazard Low (Category 1)

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 21/3/98
Little change is expected. Freezing levels are forecast to hover
around summits with no new precipitation over the period. The
avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1)

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patches only.
ICING: Lean. Most gully lines now broken.
COMMENT: Fun and games at Cairngorm Snow Festival best option.





LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 20/3/98
Warm and dry conditions during the day are gradually consolidating
and thawing the snowpack at all levels. The snowpack stability
remains good. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 21/3/98
The mild and dry conditions are expected to continue overnight and
during Saturday. The snowpack will continue to thaw and generally
consolidate at all levels. 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 remaining above the summits overnight and
during Saturday.
COMMENT: Ice gradually thawing at all levels.




GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 20/3/98
Greatest deposits of snow are to be found in high North to East
facing corries and sheltered gullies. The snowpack is in a stable
condition. Avalanche hazard Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 21/3/98
Calm and dry with freezing level just above the tops overnight and
on Saturday. This will not alter the stability of the snowpack which
will remain good. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 800m in sheltered locations.

ICING: Very little, if any.

COMMENT: Winter climbing conditions remain poor and are limited to
the higher easier gullies.





SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 20/3/98
With freezing levels above the tops during the night and throughout
the day remaining snow is moist and soft at all levels. The
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 21/3/98
Freeze thaw conditions will leave snow above 800m hard and icy
first thing in the morning before a rising freezing level will
revert snow to a moist and soft condition at all levels. The
avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy, with greatest amounts in N to E facing
corries.

ICING: None left worth mentioning!

COMMENT: Freezing levels will be around 1250m by afternoon.





CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 20/3/98
The prolonged mild temperatures have left the snowpack soft but well
bonded and stable on all aspects. The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1). The few cornices still present at the tops of some
steep N and E facing slopes remain unstable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 21/3/98
Slightly colder temperatures, with the freezing level dropping to
1000m overnight, will further consolidate the snowpack. The snowpack
will be very stable and well bonded on all aspects. The avalanche
hazard will be Low (Category 1).

                         CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Sparse and patchy. Main areas remaining are at
the tops of the highest N to E facing slopes and in gullies and
hollows of a similar aspect.

ICING: Very little. Small patches of ice have formed in the Inner
Coire, but chunks of these were falling off during the day.

COMMENT: Some hazard of rock and ice fall still exists near the
Coire Ardair cliffs, but you'd be unlucky to be hit by any falling
ice!



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