NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 15/2/99 
A melt/freeze cycle has resulted in a well-consolidated 
snowpack. Stability is good in all locations. The avalanche 
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 16/2/99
Wintry conditions will prevail with very strong gale force W to
NW winds and snow showers throughout the period. Where new
deposits accumulate on steep, sheltered lee slopes above 900m,
primarily of an E to SE aspect, avalanches are likely.
Avalanche hazard Considerable (Category 3) in these locations.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Much depleted from recent thaw. 
Hard and crusty in plateau areas.

ICING: Still remaining. Return of colder conditions will 
continue to help development.

COMMENT: Windy conditions. Slab development likely only 
in the most sheltered of locations.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 15/2/99 
Warmer conditions overnight and during Monday have led to a
consolidation of the snowpack. Localised areas of unstable wet
snow are present on steeper slope inclinations above 1100m. In
these locations the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).
Elsewhere the snowpack is moist and generally stable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 16/2/99
A return of colder conditions is expected overnight with snow
and strong NW winds. The existing old snowpack will freeze 
and become stable at all levels. Fresh areas of unstable windslab 
will form in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations will be 
at the tops of E, SE and S facing slopes and gullies. Other 
sheltered locations will also be affected. Where this fresh 
windslab exists in sufficient quantities, the avalanche hazard 
will be Considerable (Category 3). Avalanches are likely in 
these locations. Unstable cornices will also form above these 
aspects.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow expected at all levels 
during Tuesday.

ICING: Freezing level dropping to sea level during Tuesday.

COMMENT: Blustery winds expected.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 15/2/99
Thaw conditions with rain overnight has left the snowpack moist
at all levels but it remains generally firm and stable. Steep
slopes do have surface instabilities and in these locations the
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). Cornices are soft and
unstable.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 16/2/99
Heavy snow showers and strong NW winds will deposit fresh
accumulations of windslab onto NE through to SE facing slopes.
The greatest accumulations can be expected above 500m in
sheltered gullies and corrie headwalls. Where accumulations are
significant the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category
3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 700m lowering 
to 300m.

ICING: Thawing ice on rocks above 700m refreezing during 
Tuesday.

COMMENT: Colder conditions with fresh snow windslab will 
be present on sheltered slopes. 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 15/2/99
Overnight thaw led to a period of greatest instability before
colder conditions during the day began to re-freeze the snowpack,
leaving it crusty in many areas. Any remaining cornices although
overhanging are beginning to firm up. The avalanche hazard is Low
(Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 16/2/99
Wintry conditions will return, with moderate snow showers at all
levels and storm force NW winds overnight and during Tuesday. The
storm force winds will leave many areas scoured and icy, although
in sheltered areas of steep E to S facing slopes above 800m
poorly bonded windslab will begin to build on to existing old
snow-ice. Some localised deposits may also form in sheltered N
facing gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable
(Category 3) where deposits are greatest.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy icy snow with fresh snow on 
the way.

ICING: Good ice in most of the gullies but other areas are
lean. Buttresses have suffered due to the thaw.

COMMENT: Stormy showery cold weather with blizzards at 
times.
 


CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 15/2/99 
Although still relatively mild, the freezing level has remained
around the summits. The snowpack has refrozen since yesterday's
thaw and is generally stable on most aspects. Soft slab can still
be encountered in isolated sheltered areas on N through to SE
aspects above 900m. In these localised areas the avalanche hazard
is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 16/2/99 
Heavy snow showers on a severe gale force NW wind will affect the
region overnight and on Tuesday. These conditions will quickly
form windslab on sheltered lee slopes, particularly at the tops
of gullies. Slopes of a N through E to S aspect above 800m will
be particularly affected. Fresh cornices will start to form above
the same aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable
(Category 3) with avalanches likely in the above mentioned areas.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 700m. Plenty of 
snow in the gullies.

ICING: Some of the unstable ice has collapsed,
but most routes are hanging on.

COMMENT: Freezing at all levels on Tuesday, with winds
gusting to 90mph.




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