NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 11-1-00
The prevailing winds have been South-West however local 
corrie winds have been from variable direction and contributed 
to some redistribution of snow.  Temperatures above 1000 
metres have been below freezing since late last night.  The thin 
surface crust shears easily, results on the deeper crust were less 
consistent.  A certain bridging effect appears to indicate better 
stability than shown in tests.  Isolated super weak zones may 
produce wide propagation on the deeper instability.  The 
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3) 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 12-1-00
The deeper instability will require significant load to produce 
widespread avalanches.  Avalanches are likely on North to 
North-East aspects above 850 metres due to new snow load.  
Other aspects will be largely stable.  The avalanche hazard will 
be Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  New slab and crust on surface, dry 
snow below in highest elevations.  
ICING:  A twelve hour freeze has added thickness to the 
boulder field ice.
COMMENT:  Limited options given this forecast.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 11/1/00
Snow showers and strong SW winds have produced fresh areas of
windslab above 1000m. Greatest accumulations are at the tops of
NE, E and SE facing slopes and gullies. Below 1000m areas of
fresh wet snow exist with surface instabilities on steeper slope
inclinations. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 12/1/00
Further snow and strong SW winds are expected throughout the
period. Cooler temperatures during Wednesday will consolidate the
existing snowpack below 1000m. Unstable windslab will continue to
form in sheltered locations above this altitude. Greatest
accumulations will be at the tops of NE, E and SE facing slopes
and gullies. Unstable cornices will also continue to reform. The
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh snow lying above 800m on 
Tuesday.

ICING: All wind scoured snow slopes will be hard frozen.

COMMENT: Climbing conditions likely to improve as 
temperature drops.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 11/1/00
Thaw conditions with rain and some sleet have left the snowpack
wet at all levels. On steep N to E facing slopes and gullies wet
snow instabilities exist. In these locations the avalanche hazard
is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche debris noted in Coire
Gabhail (Lost Valley).


AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 12/1/00
Fresh snow with strong SW winds will form new areas of soft
windslab on sheltered slopes above 400m. The greatest
accumulations of new snow will be on NW through to E facing
slopes. Colder conditions during Tuesday night will start to
consolidate the old wet snowpack. Avalanches are likely where new
windslab has formed on steeper slopes and corrie headwalls and in
particular the tops of summit gullies. The avalanche hazard will
be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  Snow above 650 metres.

ICING: Thawing Ice above 700 metres.

COMMENT: Buttresses the safer option.
 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 11/1/00
A brief thaw has helped to stabilise the snow pack at all levels.
Moderately bonded snow exists in sheltered locations on N to E
aspects above 900m but otherwise slopes are generally well
bonded. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 12/1/00
New accumulations will form overnight in sheltered locations on
NW through to SE aspects. Where these fresh deposits overlie
harder snow ice stability will be poor, particularly on steeper
slopes and in gullies. The avalanche hazard will be
Considerable (Category 3). Exposed slopes will remain stable.
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The best cover is at present above 
900m. 

ICING: Will improve with the return to colder weather.

COMMENT: Refrozen snow on exposed slopes will become 
firm and icy.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 11/1/00
Colder temperatures have helped to stabilise the snowpack.
Moderately bonded windslab remains on N through E to SE aspects
above 800 metres. In these areas the avalanche hazard is Moderate
(Category 2). Large cornices remain above N through E to SE
aspects.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 12/1/00
Moderate snowfall overnight, followed by snow showers tomorrow
(Wednesday), on gale force winds will build deposits of unstable
windslab on N through E to SE aspects above 750 metres. Cornices
will continue to form above slopes of these same aspects. The
avalanche hazard will rise to Considerable (Category 3) with
avalanches likely.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 800 metres, with 
N and E facing corries holding the most snow.

ICING: Improving in colder temperatures but about to be 
buried again!

COMMENT: Much colder summit temperatures tomorrow, ice 
axe and crampons essential!




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