NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 25/12/98 Rain and mild temperatures have further depleted the sparse snowpack. Strong SW winds and very light snow showers during daylight hours have resulted in a few new pockets of thin slab high on steep NE aspects above 1100m. The avalanche hazard in these locations is Moderate (Category 2) but only where accumulations are deepest high on gully tops. The snowpack in all other areas remains thin, patchy and stable. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 26/12/98 Dry, cold overnight conditions will be followed by a period of snow and strong SE then SW winds later on Boxing Day. Stability will remain good in all locations until the onset of snow when stability will decline on steep NW to NE facing slopes and gullies. Moderate (Category 2) hazard of avalanche. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Further depleted by recent rain and mild temps: some improvement possible later on Boxing Day. Snow cover is very thin and patchy. ICING: Some ice remaining but it remains limited in quantity. COMMENT: N.Cairngorms quiet on Christmas Day. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 25/12/98 An overnight thaw followed by colder temperatures today have helped to stabilise the snow at lower levels but it remains weakly bonded on N through to SE aspects above 850m. In these areas unstable windslab has formed and the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) in sheltered gullies and hollows. Fresh debris noted in the corries. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 26/12/98 Moderate snowfall on storm force Westerly winds will continue to build unstable windslab on NW through to SE facing slopes above 850m. Upper reaches of gullies and sheltered slopes will be most affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) and avalanches are likely. Large cornices are present above many steep N through to SE facing slopes. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 750m. ICING: Still thin but improved greatly over the last few days. COMMENT: Wild mountain conditions expected tomorrow (Saturday). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 25/12/98 Heavy rain and a thaw at all levels overnight has reduced and now stabilised the snowpack. Colder conditions this a.m. have left a dusting of fresh snow above 650m. Avalanche hazard Moderate (Category 2). Avalanche debris noted in the glen. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 26/12/98 The cold showery conditions will continue overnight then heavy snow will fall above 600m during Saturday. Gullies and sheltered NE-NW slopes will accumulate areas of deep unstable windslab. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches are likely in steep summit gullies containing deep windslab. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 600m ICING: Ice reforming above 800m COMMENT: Storm force winds and heavy snow forecast: ridges not necessarily the safer option! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 25/12/98 A thaw overnight followed by a freeze early on Friday has stabilised the pre-existing windslab. Light snow showers during the day have produced localised areas of fresh snow, although these are not of any significant quantity. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 26/12/98 Snow showers above 600m and strong SW winds are expected to continue overnight and during Saturday. Fresh areas of unstable windslab will develop in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be at the tops of N, NE and E facing slopes and gullies. In these locations the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the snowpack will remain re-frozen and generally stable. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain above 900m. Some fresh snow down to 600m. ICING: Freezing level expected to remain at around 600m. COMMENT: Ice-axe and crampons essential for all hill users. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 25/12/98 Mild temperatures with rain left the snowpack stable at all levels. There was an unstable period overnight with avalanche debris noted in Corrie na Ciche, Beinn a'Bhuird. Deeper areas of snow are on N to E aspects above 900m where the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 26/12/98 Storm force winds with snow will leave new accumulations in sheltered areas and gullies on N to E aspects. Above 900m where accumulations are at their greatest the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A light covering with deeper areas on N to E aspects above 900m. ICING: Lean. COMMENT: Freezing levels fluctuating, winds storm force. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------