NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 31-12-99
There is moist snow, in the top 20 centimetres at 900 metres, on 
a snowpack that has shrunk due to settlement by warming and 
wind (locally variable but with dramatic shift in prevailing 
direction from South to North and back).  There is a dry layer of 
snow on the crust previously mentioned from 40-70 centimetres 
down.  Shear tests produced mixed variable results.  The 
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 1-1-00
Rain on areas of steep smooth rock with thin snow cover will 
avalanche easily.  Loose snow avalanches are likely, possibly 
pulling out slab below. With the light rain amounts the 
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).     

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light rain falling on this final 
afternoon.  The snow depth ranges from 50 centimetres to near 4 
metres in the deeper pockets of the climbing zone.  
ICING:  A thaw cycle is presently on. 
COMMENT:  Next year the freeze will follow the thaw.
This will contribute to a more stable snowpack.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 31/12/99
Thaw conditions during Friday have produced areas of weakly 
bonded moist snow. Greatest accumulations are on steep slopes 
and gullies with a N to E through to SE aspect. Wet unstable 
snow is present below 1000m. In these locations the avalanche 
hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Cornices prone to collapse.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 1/1/00
The current thaw conditions with accompanying rain will 
continue during Saturday. A brief lowering of the freezing level 
overnight will have little effect on the existing snowpack. Areas 
of weakly bonded moist snow will be present. Wet snow 
avalanches are likely on steep slopes and gullies with N to E 
through to SE aspects at any altitude. The avalanche hazard will 
be Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices prone to 
collapse.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow level rising during Saturday.
ICING: Freezing level above the summits on Saturday.
COMMENT: Hazard of cornice collapse triggering slopes. 
Looks like thawing to the end of the century!.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 31/12/99
Cold conditions overnight created a firm crust on the snowpack. 
Rising temperatures and rain above the summits during today 
have made the snowpack generally soft and moist. Areas of 
deep soft slab on slopes with a N through to SE aspect and in 
summit gullies are potentially unstable. In these locations the 
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 1/1/00
The thaw will continue with gales and rain at all levels. Areas of 
weakly bonded wet slab will be present on N through to SE 
slopes above 700m. Avalanches are likely in summit gullies as 
the snowpack becomes saturated.  The avalanche hazard will be 
Considerable (Category 3).
Cornices will be prone to collapse.

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 450m.

ICING: Thawing ice above 600m.

COMMENT: Summit gullies best avoided.
********HAPPY NEW MILLENIUM!********



SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 31/12/99
A gradual thaw has left the snowpack generally well bonded at 
all levels. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). 
Cornices are still intact and continue to threaten slopes below.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 1/1/00
As the thaw continues the greatest period of instability will be 
overnight. A brief freeze before a return to thaw conditions will 
ensure that the snowpack will be stable at all levels. The 
avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1) but any remaining 
cornices will be suspect.
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Thawing below 800m but cover 
remains good above 900m.
ICING: Subject to collapse in thaw conditions.
COMMENT: Thaw has revealed older ice making some 
footpaths awkward.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 31/12/99
A freeze/thaw cycle has helped towards consolidating the 
snowpack. However deep accumulations of heavy, wet slab, 
which could be triggered by a climbing party, are still evident on 
N through E to S aspects above 700m.  Also with a freezing 
level above the summits, there is an increased risk of cornice 
collapse. The avalanche hazard remains Considerable (Category 
3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 1/1/00
A forecast of rain or sleet on fresh SW winds, coupled with a 
freezing level, hovering around the summits, means that there 
will be only a slow change to the current snow conditions. A 
slow consolidation of the snowpack will occur, however 
climbing parties or cornice collapse could still trigger wet slab 
slides. Deepest accumulations will be encountered in sheltered 
gullies and hollows of a N through E to S aspect above 700m. 
The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels. Plenty left for 
ski-touring.

ICING: Hopefully improving with the recent freeze/thaw cycle. 
Still difficult to tell how much there is due to amount of snow.

COMMENT: Have a good Hogmanay. Back tomorrow, Millennium Bug permitting.




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