sportscotland Avalanche Information Service

Snow and Avalanche Report

Issued at 17.30 hrs. Sunday 5/12/1999
Rising temperatures and strengthening winds backing mainly West
to South-West, have affected Highland ranges during the day.
Temperatures around freezing on the highest summits in the
Cairngorms and Lochaber have maintained areas of windslab in many
locations, mainly above 850 metres. In places, mostly on North
and East facing slopes above 950 metres  in the Caingorms and
Lochaber areas, old snow-ice underlies existing windslab. Where
cornices are present, these are fragile.  Approaches to many
peaks are laborious through deep snow.  These conditions give
rise to a Category 3 (Considerable) hazard of avalanche. Although
the Cairngorms and Lochaber are most affected, early winter
conditions also prevail in Glencoe, Torridon, Skye, Creag
Meagaidh, Glenshee and other locations.

Avalanche Hazard Outlook Monday 6/12/1999
Forecasted milder conditions with strong winds and rain over all
ranges in the morning will moisten the snowpack. Colder
conditions will lead to some new slab build-up on higher North
and Easterly aspects later in the day, particularly in Lochaber
and the Cairngorms.  Wet snow avalanches, with the possibiity of
full-depth slides, are likely early in the period, while surface
instabilities will be present where new accumulations are
greatest on steep mainly North and Easterly aspects later.  A
Category 3 (Considerable) hazard of avalanche will prevail.




 




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