sportscotland Avalanche Information Service

Snow and Avalanche Report


Issued at 16.45 hrs. Friday 10/12/1999
Cold, clear, weather with isolated showers, has maintained
existing snow conditions throughout the Highlands, although some
areas including Ross-shire have seen some fresh overnight
snowfall down to 500 metres.  Cornice build-up has been noted in
some areas, including North and East aspects in Torridon.  The
general snowline lies at around 650 metres, but substantial
patches of old snow exist in most areas down to below 300 metres.
Lochaber, along  with the Cairngorms, still holds most snow, with
main accumulations on North and East facing slopes above 850
metres.  Some build-up, lying on old snow-ice, is still present
on slopes of other aspects, including West-facing slopes.  Small
surface slab release noted on N facing slope at 1100 metres,
North Cairngorms.  These conditions present a Category 3
(Considerable) hazard of avalanche.

Avalanche Hazard Outlook Saturday 11/12/1999
Wintry conditions, with some snow showers and mainly East,
backing Northerly winds, will create some slab build-up on South
to West facing slopes.  Where this lies on previously noted
accumulations, surface instabilities will exist.  Existing
pockets of instability on North and East facing slopes above 850
metres in many areas, but principally Lochaber and the
Cairngorms, will still present localised hazard.  Where cornices
are building, mainly above some North and East aspects, they will
be unstable.  A Category 3 (Considerable) hazard of avalanche
will prevail.





 




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