NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/12/98	 
Rain and thaw conditions throughout the period, at all levels, 
have depleted and moistened remaining small pockets of snow.
Avalanche hazard Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/12/98
Colder conditions will prevail, with some light snow down to 300m
for a period. Precipitation will not be significant and the
avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Rain at all levels has depleted any 
cover to little more than isolated patches.
ICING: Thaw conditions on Thursday.
COMMENT: Colder weather awaited with anticipation of 
things yet to come!




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/12/98 
A thaw at all levels has reduced the snowpack to localised areas 
of old snow. These accumulations are generally restricted to N 
and E facing corries above 1100m.The avalanche hazard is Low 
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/12/98
Colder conditions will bring snow showers above 600m 
overnight and during Friday. Some localised fresh snow 
deposits are expected, but these will be restricted to sheltered 
locations on N, NE and E aspects. New snow accumulations are 
not expected to affect the existing avalanche hazard. The 
avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1).
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow expected down to 600m 
overnight.
ICING: Freezing level lowering overnight to 600m and rising 
again on Friday to around 1000m.
COMMENT: Winds moderating.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/12/98 
Heavy rain at all levels and the strong SW winds have thoroughly
saturated the small isolated patches of old  snow.  Above 930m 
in deep sheltered gullies small pockets of wet snow still exist. 
These deposits are not signifcant or of any great depth.
No Avalanche hazard Category issued.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/12/98
Light snow showers can be expected during Thursday night 
above 900m and continuing through Friday morning down to 
600m. These new deposits are generally expected to be light  but 
where deeper deposits form in sheltered summit gullies the 
avalanche hazard will increase. In these locations the avalanche 
hazard will be Low (Category1).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 


SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Isolated patches above 930m.

ICING: None .

COMMENT: Limited winter conditions at present.



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/12/98 
Very mild conditions have led to a rapid thaw of existing snow 
patches with some old harder areas remaining. 
Snow patches are mainly to be found on N aspects above 950m. 
The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/12/98
Colder conditions with some snow will leave fresh deposits on 
sheltered slopes and gullies on NE aspects. Some unstable areas 
will exist above 950m where new deposits overlie old harder 
snow but the avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy.

ICING: None, but possible as temperatures start to drop.

COMMENT: Freezing level will rise during through morning 
before falling in afternoon.


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 17/12/98
Overnight thaw and heavy rain have further depleted the 
remaining snowpack. Largest areas remain in the upper sections 
of the deeper gullies of a N to E facing aspects. The remaining 
snowpack is stable. Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 18/12/98
Moderate snowfall on a fresh SW/W wind will cause accumulations
of windslab to form at the top of sheltered gullies and hollows
of a N through to SE facing aspect above 850m. This windslab will
only affect areas where it overlies old existing snow. There will
be a Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche in these localised
areas.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy above 900m.

ICING: Non existent.

COMMENT: Hopefully there will be a return to more wintry 
conditions.




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