sportscotland Avalanche Information Service

Snow and Avalanche Report

Issued at 16.45 hrs Wednesday 22/12/1999
Most Highland mountain areas have had milder temperatures with
rain nearly to the highest summits. However, slightly colder
temperatures have affected the mountains in the afternoon. The
mainly Southerly winds have  caused  drifting of recent snow with
significant windslab build-up at highest altitudes on most North
and Easterly aspects and wet snow lying above 700 to 800 metres
in Glencoe, Lochaber, the Cairngorms and other areas. Snow has fallen to
sea level in Wester Ross, including Torridon. New (22/12)
avalanche debris was noted below Aladdin's Couloir, Central Gully
and the Runnel in Coire an t-Sneachda of Cairngorm.  The recent
accumulations in Lochaber, the Cairngorms, Wester Ross and some
other areas give rise to a Category 3 (Considerable) hazard of
avalanche, nearly justifying a higher category.

Avalanche Hazard Outlook Thursday 23/12/1999
Difficult, unsettled weather will affect Highland mountain areas
during the day. Wintry showers will cause further build-up on
mainly North and East facing slopes in the Cairngorms and other
Eastern ranges, while longer periods of snow will affect Western
ranges such as Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon, causing
substantial build-up on similar aspects. Cornices, also building
above mainly North and East aspects, will be very unstable. Lower
lying locations, such as crag aprons mainly above 850 metres,
will also present a hazard.  Where deeper accumulations exist,
mainly, but not only, in Wester Ross, Lochaber, Glencoe and the
Cairngorms, a Category 4 (High) hazard of avalanche will prevail.


Note:  This interim format for the Snow and Avalanche Report will
be replaced tomorrow, 23/12/1999, by the usual format of five
individual Reports.  Comments on the usefulness or otherwise of
the interim Reports will be welcomed. Many thanks to those who
have reported on observed avalanches and snow conditions.



 




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