sportscotland Avalanche Information Service

Snow and Avalanche Report

Issued at 17.00 hrs Sunday 19/12/1999
Apart from some fresh accumulation in Ross-shire and the Isles,
most mountain areas have had sunshine and only a few wintry
showers. New snow build-up, apart from in the North-West, has not
generally been significant. Any accumulations are mainly of dry
powder rather than windslab.  However, all new accumulations lie
on a bed of hard snow-ice and this gives a Category 3
(Considerable) hazard of avalanche for Torridon, the Fannichs and
other North-Western ranges, mainly on South and East aspects.
Most slopes in other areas are stable, with only localised areas
of loose snow.

Avalanche Hazard Outlook Monday 20/12/1999
In most Highland mountain areas,very cold conditions, with
variable, light and mainly Northerly winds  will add little to
existing accumulations which lie mainly on East and South facing
slopes. Gully tops on some East and South aspects may  see a
little additional build-up. Most slopes will be stable with only
isolated pockets of loose snow. In the Eastern Cairngorms, where
some early snow showers may occur, there is a limited potential
for additional build-up. However, slopes above 850 metres in
Ross-shire, where substantial depths of new loose snow lie on a
bed of snow-ice, will continue to present a hazard. Where
accumulations are greatest, mainly in Ross-shire, a Category 3
(Considerable) avalanche hazard will exist.

Note:  This interim format for the Snow and Avalanche Report will
continue until 23/12/1999, when the usual format of five
individual Reports will resume.  In response to enquiries, the
interim Reports are created at SAIS base, using automated data
gathering and computer-assisted forecasting, along with input
from informants in various areas and feedback from the public.
Overall confidence rating for Report outlook section 75-80%.




 




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