NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/1/99 
Dry conditions with little change overnight has allowed some 
consolidation of the existing snowpack to take place. New snow 
instabilities were noted as a result of fresh snow showers during 
the day. These areas of poor stability were primarily on steep E 
to SE aspects where continued cornice development was also 
noted. Considerable (Category 3) hazard of avalanche.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/1/99
While the existing snowpack continues to consolidate, the threat 
of light snow showers and continuing strong NW winds will 
allow additional windslab development to take place. In steep, 
primarily E to SE aspects where these slopes are overhung with 
large cornices the avalanche hazard will remain Considerable 
(Category 3). Where slopes are sufficiently loaded avalanches
are likely.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Excellent cover in plateau areas, fair 
down to 700m. Many slopes wind scoured.
ICING: Unable to show itself to any great degree at present. 
Most venues still under new snow. 
COMMENT: Good skiing conditions in ski area.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/1/99 
During Wednesday, fresh snow and strong WSW winds have 
further loaded sheltered slopes with unstable windslab. Soft 
windslab is present on many slopes above 800m. Greatest 
accumulations exist on N, NE and E facing slopes and gullies. 
The fresh snow shows poor stability, especially on slopes with 
an inclination greater than 45ø. The avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/1/99
Snow showers and light NW winds are expected overnight and 
during Thursday. Large areas of soft unstable windslab will be 
present above 800m, mainly on slopes and gullies with an aspect 
from N through to SE. Avalanches are likely in these locations, 
especially on steeper slopes. The avalanche hazard will remain 
Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover above 650m.
ICING: Remaining cold above 600m.
COMMENT: Large areas of soft unconsolidated snow on many 
routes in the area.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/1/99 
New snow is forming areas of windslab on leeward slopes 
facing N to E above 700m. On steep corrie headwalls and in 
sheltered gullies deep soft slab is weakly bonded. The avalanche 
hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Many corrie headwalls and 
gullies are topped by unstable cornices.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/1/99
Light snow showers overnight and a strong NW wind will form 
fresh windslab in sheltered gullies and on slopes with an E to S 
aspect mainly above 700m. Steep corrie headwalls and summit 
gullies will contain areas of unstable windslab with weak 
cornice formations at the tops.  In these areas the avalanche 
hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches are 
likely where deeper windslab has formed.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 400m.

ICING: Ice forming above 600m.

COMMENT: Buttresses plastered in snow



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/1/99 
Although much of the snowpack is stable snow showers have
continued to add to the unstable deposits on N to SE aspects.
Wherever deposits overlie snow ice they are moderately to weakly
bonded particularly on steeper slopes. Other aspects are scoured
and icy. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/1/99
There will be little change with temperatures remaining low and 
some light snowfall overnight. In sheltered areas of N to SE 
aspects recent accumulations of snow will continue to remain 
unstable especially where deposits overlie harder snow ice. 
Other slopes will be scoured and icy. The avalanche hazard will 
remain Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Complete above 900m although 
some plateau areas are very icy. 
ICING: Mostly buried under snow. 
COMMENT: Paths are very icy.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 27/1/99 
Heavy snow showers on a strong SSW wind have caused deep and
unstable accumulations of windslab to form, predominantly on N
through to SE aspects above 700m. Additionally sheltered areas on
any other aspect hold windslab deposits. Where this unstable slab
is found the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 28/1/99
Light snow showers on a strong NW wind, along with drifting of
existing soft snow will continue the build up of unstable
windslab on N through to S aspects above 700m. Although primarily
affecting the above aspects, windslab may also be found in any
sheltered area on other slopes. The avalanche hazard will remain
Considerable (Category 3) with avalanches likely in these areas.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep cover above 600m. Skis 
recommended for travel. Icier at the top of windward slopes.

ICING: Heaps!, if you can actually find it under all the snow.

COMMENT: 10 foot high vertical drifts on Coire Ardair path 
make for some interesting and comical moments!




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