LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 20/12/98 Localised areas of unstable windslab are present, mainly on scarp slopes and steep gullies above 1000m with a NE or E aspect. This windslab is moderately to poorly bonded to the underlying old snow. Where this windslab exists, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Some unstable cornices also exist above these aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 21/12/98 As new snow and strong SW winds arrive during Monday, fresh areas of unstable windslab will form. Greatest deposits will be on scarp slopes and steep gullies above 1000m with a N, NE or E aspect. In these locations, the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices will also develop as the day progresses. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying above 700m. ICING: Freezing level around 400m on Monday. COMMENT: Strong SW winds expected later on Monday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 20/12/98 A cover of recent snow is lying above 700m on slopes of all aspects. Snow cover is generally thin with some deeper accumulations on sheltered ground facing NE to NW. Where windslab overlies patches of old snow in summit gullies above 850m the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 21/12/98 Slightly milder conditions will bring snow showers to ground above 500m. This snowfall will not significantly alter the snowpack. Where deeper deposits form in steep gullies facing N-NE the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 700m ICING: Ice forming on rocks and paths above 600m COMMENT: Climbing conditions limited but improving. Higher ridges and buttresses have a thin cover of recent snow, turf firming up. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 20/12/98. A dusting of new snow and strong NW winds has led to small, localised deposits of windslab mainly on E to S facing slopes and gullies. These deposits are poorly bonded and some faceted crystals are forming at ground level. The Avalanche Hazard is Moderate (Category 2) where deposits are greatest. Elsewhere little snow exists. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 21/12/98. Continuing cold with light snowfall and winds shifting to strong SW during Monday. This will lead to existing snow being re- distributed with new windslab forming on N to E facing slopes and gullies. These deposits will be poorly bonded, especially on steep slopes where old snow exists. The Avalanche Hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) where deposits are greatest. Elsewhere little snow exists. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Little snow exists. Largest deposits are in East facing corries on Beinn A` Bhuid. ICING: Very little ice exists, although it continues to slowly form. The turf is firming up nicely. COMMENT: SW winds becoming stronger during the day. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 20/12/98 A dusting of new snow has brought a wintry appearance to the hills. Small-localised pockets of unstable windblown snow exist on highest S facing slopes and gully tops above 1000m. In these locations a localised Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche exists. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 21/12/98 Light snow showers overnight and tomorrow accompanied by light but strengthening NW then SW winds. This will maintain a localised Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche on NE through to S facing slopes. In these steepest high locations, above 1000m, pockets of unstable slab will prevail. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A light dusting only. Deeper accumulations do exist in sheltered pockets above 900m ICING: Cold conditions persisting but build up minimal at present COMMENT: Fresh wintry conditions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SUN 20/12/98 Cold temperatures and only a little more snow on a NW wind has made no difference to the unstable windslab pockets found in the deeper gullies and hollows of a N through to SE aspect above 850m. A weak surface layer persists, maintaining the Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK MON 21/12/98 Cold temperatures overnight will result in little change to the existing pockets of unstable windslab. During the day, moderate snowfall on a strong SW wind will cause further accumulations of new slab to build on existing weak layers. N through to SE aspects above 850m will be most affected. Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche in these localised areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thin cover above 800m. ICING: Thin but unclimable ice building on most routes. COMMENT: Cornices still remaining above the Inner Coire. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------