GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/12/98 New snow is lying above 200m on slopes of all aspects. Strong Southwesterly winds have formed areas of weakly bonded windslab in sheltered North to East facing gullies above 800m. Where deeper windslab has formed on the older snowpack the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/12/98 New snow and strong Southwesterly winds will continue to deposit unstable windslab on sheltered North to East facing slopes and gullies above 800m. Later in the day conditions will become much milder with heavy rain at all levels The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely where deeper windslab has formed. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 200m. ICING: Ice forming above 800m. COMMENT: Climbing conditions limited, ridges and buttresses have a covering of soft snow. Getting milder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/12/98 Heavy snow on Westerly winds have deposited a deep accumulation of very unstable soft slab on N through to S aspects above 750m. Gullies and sheltered hollows are most affected. The hazard of avalanche is Considerable (Category 3) in these areas. Avalanche activity was observed in Coire Ardair and the Inner Corrie. Large cornices have formed above steep N through to S facing slopes. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/12/98 Overnight snow will be followed by rain and rising temperatures during tomorrow. Further loading will maintain the unstable snowpack and risk of wet slides will increase throughout the day. Areas worst affected will be N through to S facing slopes, especially gullies and sheltered hollows, above 750m. The hazard of avalanche will be High (Category 4) and avalanches will occur. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover down to the Farm. ICING: Probably still forming but buried. COMMENT: Freezing level forecast to rise to 1800m by late afternoon tomorrow (Thursday) - Merry Christmas! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/12/98 Areas of deep unstable windslab are present, greatest accumulations on steep slopes and gullies with N, NE or E aspects above 900m. In these locations the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Unstable fresh cornices are continuing to develop above these aspects. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/12/98 The cold showery conditions will continue overnight but rain at all levels in expected during Thursday afternoon. Areas of unstable snow will be present, greatest accumulations on steep slopes and gullies with N, NE or E aspects above 900m. Avalanches are likely in these locations. With the arrival of the mild conditions during the afternoon, wet snow avalanches will occur in these locations. The avalanche hazard will increase to High (Category 4) during the day. Cornices will remain unstable and prone to collapse. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow at most levels. Main accumulations above 750m. ICING: Freezing level remaining at 400m overnight and rising to 1800m during Thursday. COMMENT: Strong winds continuing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/12/98 Snow showers and strong SW winds are leaving fresh accumulations in sheltered areas on N to E aspects above 900m. Where deposits are of any resonable depth the snow is moderately to weakly bonded. In these localised areas the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/12/98 There will be some light deposits of new snow before milder conditions with rain set in later in the day. On N to E aspects above 900m where areas of snow have any depth to them the snow will remain moderately to weakly bonded. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some deeper patches above 900m on N to E aspects otherwise a dusting to 800m. ICING: Still lean, but trying to improve. Most ice is on footpaths! Turf mostly frozen. COMMENT: Freezing level due to rise to 1800m by tomorrow afternoon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 23/12/98 Snow showers throughout the period have resulted in small areas of windslab on steep N to NE facing summit slopes and sheltered gullies. Triggered dry slab avalanche in Ciste Mhearadh 1100m. Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche in these localised areas. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 24/12/98 Remaining dry and cold overnight before further snow showers, then rain, late in the period on Thursday. This will maintain the current unstable pockets of windslab on N to NE facing gully tops. Avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches are likely, particularly late in the period, with the onset of rain and forecasted summit temps of plus 3 degrees Celsius. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Slight overall improvement. Unfortunately likely to be short lived with the return of milder conditions. ICING: Many areas hard and icy underfoot on Wed. Buttress white with some improvement in quantity of snow in gullies. COMMENT: Pity about the threat of milder conditions, still, forecasts have been know to be ever so slightly out at times! (Here's hopin') -------------------------------------------------------------------------------