sportscotland Avalanche Information Service

Snow and Avalanche Report


Issued at 17.15 hrs. Sunday 12/12/1999
Cold and clear conditions have prevailed through most of the day,
leading to some stabilisation of recent windslab deposits.In most
Highland mountain areas, including the Cairngorms, Lochaber and
Ross-shire, the snowline lies between 500 and 600 metres.
Substantial patches of old snow exist in most areas down to below
300 metres. Lochaber and the Cairngorms still hold most snow,
with main accumulations on North and East facing slopes above 850
metres.  However, overnight drifting on mainly North-East to
South-Easterly winds has added to accumulations on North and West
facing slopes. Moderate shears tests were obtained on these
aspects. Some cornice formation  has taken place on both Easterly
and Westerly aspects. The existence of pockets of instability in
these locations leads to a Category 3 (Considerable) hazard of
avalanche.

Avalanche Hazard Outlook Monday 13/12/1999
Continuing wintry conditions, with snow showers mainly in Western
ranges will bring some fresh accumulations mostly on East and
South-East facing slopes in these areas. Surface instabilities
are likely to be present above 850 metres on these aspects.
West-facing slopes above 850 metres, principally in Lochaber and
particularly gully tops with any Westerly aspect, will remain
suspect.  Any cornices, which are to be found above mainly
Easterly and Westerly aspects, are likely to be unstable.  A
Category 3 (Considerable) hazard of avalanche will prevail in the
areas most affected.





 




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