NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 5-1-00
The top 5 centimetres of the snowpack has been rain soaked.  
Snow profile at 1000 metres on North aspect showed nearly 1 
metre of new cool, dry soft slab below the rain soaked surface.  
This sits on the major crust and gives easy shears by shovel test.  
Strong South West winds, new load and rising temperatures are 
the classic combination for avalanches.  Poor visibility made 
extensive observations impossible.  The avalanche hazard is 
High (Category 4).   
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 6-1-00
There is continued avalanche producing weather particularly for 
North to North East aspects above 900 metres, where avalanches 
will occur.  The avalanche hazard will be High (Category 4).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Moderate to heavy new load on 
existing snow zones above 900 metres.  
ICING: Icing covered by free water on boulder fields.
COMMENT: The rate of attrition exposing more bare ground is 
in dramatic contrast to areas that have seen increased snow load 
on lee slopes.



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 5/1/00
Rain and strong to gale force SW winds have produced a wet snow
pack at all levels. Areas of weakly bonded wet snow exist in many
sheltered locations above 800m. Greatest accumulations are on
sheltered steep slope and gullies with N to E through to SE
aspects, particularly scarp slopes and crag aprons. In these
locations the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).
Cornices unstable and prone to collapse.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 6/1/00 
Gale force SW-W winds and heavy rain will continue overnight, 
leading to a period of high wet snow instability. As colder 
conditions move into the area on Thursday morning the existing 
snowpack will consolidate. Areas of fresh unstable snow will 
form on sheltered steep slopes and gullies, on N to E through
to SE aspects above 800m, where avalanches are likely. The 
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Any 
remaining cornices will continue to build on Thursday.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover in N and E facing 
corries above 800m
ICING: Freezing level falling to 400m on Thursday
COMMENT:  Strong winds remaining, turning cold again.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 5/1/00
Heavy rain at all levels has saturated the snowpack. Wet snow 
instabilities exist where layers of slush have formed within the 
snowpack mainly on N through to SE slopes and in all sheltered 
gullies above 800m.  In  these areas the avalanche hazard is High
(Category 4). Several areas of avalanche derbis observed Coire na
Tulaich.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 6/1/00
Heavy rain  on Wednesday night will be followed by progressively
colder conditions with snow showers during the course of
Thursday. The existing snow pack will start to consolidate as
colder temperatures affect the area. New snow will form areas of
windslab on slopes with a NE through to SE aspect and at the tops
of sheltered gullies above 700m.  The avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3) where windslab forms on steeper slopes.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 700m.

ICING: Thawing ice above 800m.

COMMENT: Conditions will start improving during Thursday 
with colder weather. Windslab will require care.


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 5/1/00
Warmer temperatures and persistent rain have left the snow soft 
and wet at all levels. On NW through to SE aspects recent new 
deposits were found to have poor stability and some of these 
slopes were threatened by cornices. The avalanche hazard is 
High (Category 4).  
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 6/1/00
The unstable period will continue until colder conditions arrive 
during the day. Snowfall on W winds will lead to new 
accumulations on N to E aspects. On steeper and scarp slopes 
where new deposits overlie existing snow and are at their 
greatest the avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3) 
with avalanches likely.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy, with extensive areas above 
850m. 
ICING: If it hasn't fallen down, it's thawing.
COMMENT: Freezing levels will drop to 400m during the day.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 5/1/00
Mild conditions have arrived with rain at all levels driven on a
strong SSW wind. This has left the snowpack wet and melting.
Observers easily triggered wet slab avalanches and cornice
collapse debris was noted on a NE aspect. Deepest accumulations
remain in sheltered gullies and hollows of a N through E to SE
aspect above700m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category
3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 6/1/00
Mild conditions will continue for a time, before the temperature
drops through the day. Whilst it remains mild, wet snow
avalanches and cornice collapse are likely on N through E to SE
aspects above 700m. As the freezing level drops, consolidation of
the existing snowpack will occur.  However shallow accumulations
of new windslab will build on N through E to SE aspects above
800m. The avalanche hazard will remain Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 700m. Pretty wet 
and splodgy today.

ICING: Plenty of ice in the Inner Coire and should improve 
with the freeze/thaw cycle.

COMMENT: Good weather for ducks today, not for winter 
climbing!




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