NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/1/99 
Storm conditions have persisted throughout the period. Additional
accumulations of new windblown snow have been deposited on many N
to NE aspects. Where these are greatest on steep slopes and
summit gullies a Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche
exists.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/1/99
Continuing strong SW winds with snow showers throughout will see
additional slab development primarily on N to NE aspects.
Fluctuating temperatures will allow some consolidation of the
snowpack, but the threat of rain to just below summits is a cause
for concern. Where large cornices have developed above gully
heads a High (Category 4) hazard of avalanche will exist. With
the onset of any rain avalanches will occur in these locations

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Snow still lying at valley level, 
although thawing conditions below 700m on Mon.

ICING: Difficult to tell at the moment. Fluctuating temps with
a brief melt/freeze cycle will help conditions considerably.

COMMENT: Wintry conditions continuing, any thaw at higher 
elevations (above 900m) expected to be fairly brief.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/1/99 
A strong SW airflow overnight and through Monday has continued to
form areas of unstable windslab. Greatest accumulations are on
sheltered steep slopes and gullies with NW, N and E aspects above
750m. Where these deposits are present the avalanche hazard is
High (Category 4). Elsewhere the snowpack is generally stable.
Wind blown slopes are hard frozen.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/1/99
A rise in the freezing level to above the summits, with snow
turning to rain overnight and into Tuesday is expected to lead to
a period of high instability in the snowpack. Areas of unstable
snow will be present on many aspects. Greatest accumulations will
be on NW, N and E aspect above 700m. Wet snow Avalanches will
occur in these locations. The avalanche hazard will be High
(Category 4). Cornices prone to collapse.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Cover from 500m, rising overnight.

ICING: Freezing levels above the summits overnight and 
through Tuesday. Expected to lower to 900m by Tuesday
afternoon.
COMMENT: A period of wet and mild conditions prevailing.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/1/99
The continuous strong SW winds and heavy snow showers above 750m
have deposited further layers of windslab in sheltered areas.
Deep soft slab with layers of hail lying on steep ground is very
unstable. Where deep windslab lies on steep sheltered slopes and
gullies the avalanche hazard is High (Category 4).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/1/99
Mild unsettled South-Westerly weather with heavy rain will
saturate the snowpack at all levels. The rise in temperature will
produce further instabilities in the already unstable snowpack.
The avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4). Deep
accumulations of unstable snow will exist in gullies, corrie
headwalls and steep slopes of most aspects where avalanches will
occur.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow above 750m.

ICING: Ice forming above 850m.

COMMENT: Ridges and buttresses remain the safer option 
although conditions remain blustery and wet. 



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/1/99 
Very strong W winds followed by S winds during the day have led to
widespread drifting of recent snow. Some snow showers during the
day along with the drifting have led to further deposits of weakly
bonded snow on NW through to E facing slopes. The avalanche
hazard is High (Category 4) especially on steep slopes above
850m.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/1/99
Further light snow overnight before mild conditions thaw the
snowpack at all levels. Rain associated with the thaw will leave
weakly bonded deposits mainly on NW through to E slopes
where avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will
be High (Category 4). All cornices will be unstable.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Strong winds have scoured open 
hillsides with deep accumulations in sheltered areas.

ICING: The thaw freeze cycle will improve conditions.

COMMENT: After overnight thaw freezing level lowering to 
670m Tuesday afternoon. 



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 18/1/99 
Although there has been some consolidation at lower levels (below
800m), fresh snow on a strong SW wind is continuing to load
existing unstable windslab deposits on NW through to SE aspects
above 800m. Recent debris from massive avalanche noted in Choire
Choille-rais. The avalanche hazard is High (Category 4).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 19/1/99
A rise in temperature in the morning will cause a period of high
instability. Wet slab avalanches and cornice collapse will occur
on NW through to SE aspects above 800m. Later in the day the
freezing level will drop, helping to stabilise the underlying
snowpack, but further snow on a SW wind will build fresh
deposits of windslab on N through to SE aspects above 800m. The
avalanche hazard will remain High (Category 4 ).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep snow at all levels. Skis 
recommended for getting about.

ICING: Still building but generally buried.

COMMENT: With some avalanches running 100m along flat 
ground, beware of avalanche runout zones.




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