NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29-12-99
Stability of the snowpack is mainly fair to good but isolated 
pockets of instability exist in the form of a soft slab on crust.  In 
an East aspect of Coire an Sneachda, the slab failed easily on a 
shovel test but produced no results by rutschblock.  The 
distribution of instability is highly variable.  The avalanche 
hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30-12-99
Rising freezing level, increasing wind and rain to high elevation
indicates an increase in avalanche hazard.  Weather forecast
values will produce widespread avalanche activity and natural
cornice failure on most slope aspects.  The avalanche hazard will
be High (Category 4).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Foot penetration up to 20cm in lee 
elevations from 700-900 metres.  Snow depth from 3-4 metres 
on lee slopes above 1000 metres. 
ICING:  Scouring has iced up low angle windward terrain.  
COMMENT: The amount of slope testing by climbing parties 
indicates a higher degree of stability than shown by field test.  
However, the next 24 hours will see widespread avalanches. 




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29/12/99
Continuing colder temperatures and light snow showers have 
had little effect on the existing snowpack. Large areas of soft 
unconsolidated snow are present in many corries and gullies. 
Areas of unstable slab are also present, greatest accumulations 
being at the tops of gullies and on scarp slopes with a N through 
E to SE aspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 
3).
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30/12/99
A thaw is expected overnight with a period of heavy rain to the  
summits. By Thursday morning, large areas of unstable wet 
snow will be present on many aspects. Wet snow avalanches 
will occur on many steep slopes, particularly those slopes with 
an aspect of N through E to SE. The avalanche hazard will be 
High (Category 4). During Thursday afternoon the snowpack 
will begin to stabilise as the freezing level drops.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow level will rise dramatically 
overnight.
ICING: Freezing level rising to the summits overnight and 
lowering again during Thursday afternoon
COMMENT: Strong winds easing during Thursday.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29/12/99
Recent snow has accumulated above 300m with deep drifting in 
sheltered locations.The snowpack is generally soft at all levels 
but where exposed to the wind a firm icy crust has formed. 
Areas of deep windslab exist on steep slopes with a NE through 
to SE aspect and in all sheltered gullies above 800m.  In these 
areas the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). 
Cornice triggered avalanche debris observed Stob Coire nan 
Lochan

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30/12/99
Gale force S.W. winds with sleet and snow overnight turning to
heavy rain at all levels later. The avalanche hazard will High
(Category 4) as the snowpack becomes saturated with the heavy
rain. Avalanches will occur in all sheltered gullies and on
slopes with a N through to SE aspect above 800m.  Cornices will
collapse.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 300m.

ICING: Ice above 500m.

COMMENT: Wet and windy conditions initially. Hazard of 
falling rocks and ice.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29/12/99
Drifting has continued to maintain areas of unstable windslab 
primarily in sheltered areas on NE through to SE aspects above 
850 m. In these locations the snowpack was moderately to 
weakly bonded and the avalanche hazard Considerable 
(Category 3). Elsewhere exposed slopes were scoured and icy.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30/12/99
After some overnight snow thaw conditions will set in with the 
freezing levels above the tops and heavy rain.
Recent snow and cornices on all aspects will become unstable 
and avalanches will occur. The avalanche hazard will be High 
(Category 4). 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: On all aspects exposed slopes have suffered
some scouring.
ICING: Will improve after brief thaw.
COMMENT: Freezing levels will be around 1200m dropping
later to 750m.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 29/12/99
Light NW winds have continued to blow more snow onto 
already existing deposits of unstable windslab on N through E to 
S aspects above 800m. Temperatures have remained well below 
freezing at higher levels resulting in little consolidation of the 
existing snowpack. Unstable cornices are continuing to build 
above N through E to S aspects. The avalanche hazard is 
Considerable (Category 3) in the above mentioned areas.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 30/12/99
Heavy overnight snow will be followed by milder temperatures 
and heavy rain tomorrow (Thursday) on storm force SW 
becoming NW winds. A period of high instability will result as 
the temperatures rise and wet snow avalanches will occur on N 
through E to S aspects above 750m. The avalanche hazard will 
be High (Category 4) in these areas. Cornices will be prone to 
collapse.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Good cover at all levels.

ICING: None observed due to large amount of snow on cliffs.

COMMENT: Cornice collapse may trigger avalanches - 
beware of long debris run-out zones.




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