NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12-1-00
The new snow above 650 metres and light to moderate winds 
from the West are the main factors today.  There is extensive 
soft slab on East aspects above 950 metres.  This fails easily on 
a thin crust with hail on top about 50 centimetres down from 
surface.  Cornice debris observed in Coire na Spreide.  The 
cornice collapse did not pull out to deeper layers.  The 
avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13-1-00
The new slab will be very unstable with additional load.  
Avalanches will occur above 1000 metres on North-East to East 
aspects.  This will be on scarp slopes and gully exits that have 
significant snow load.  The avalanche hazard will be High 
(Category 4).
   

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow above 650 metres, 
significant accumulations in slabs above 950 metres. 
ICING:  A solid freeze cycle is in progress.
COMMENT:  Gully exit slopes with any snow build up above 
are suspect.


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12/1/00
Snow showers and a South Westerly airflow overnight and 
during Wednesday have produced areas of unstable windslab in 
many sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations are on steep 
slopes, tops of gullies and scarp slopes with N, NE and E 
aspects above 800 metres. In these locations the avalanche 
hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Avalanche debris observed 
on E aspects in Corrie Dubh, Aonach Mor.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13/1/00
As winds veer North West overnight and during Thursday, fresh 
and redistributed snow will form areas of unstable windslab on 
many sheltered aspects. Steep slopes, the tops of gullies, and 
scarp slopes with a N through E  to S aspect above 800m will be 
particularly effected. Avalanches are likely in these locations. 
The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). 
Unstable cornices will be present.



CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Deep soft snow present in sheltered 
areas.
ICING: Wind blown snow slopes are hard frozen.
COMMENT: Ice axe and crampons essential. Windslab will 
require caution.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12/1/00
New snow on strong SW winds has formed areas of soft layered 
windslab with the greatest accumulations being on slopes with a 
Northerly aspect above 750 metres. Where deep accumulations exist
on steep N to E facing slopes and especially in sheltered gullies 
the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13/1/00
New snow with strong W winds will form new areas of soft windslab
on sheltered slopes above 600 metres. The greatest accumulations
of new snow will be found on N through to SE facing slopes.
Avalanches are likely where deep accumulations of new windslab
has formed on steeper slopes and on corrie headwalls but in
particular the tops of summit gullies. The avalanche hazard will
be Considerable (Category 3) where these conditions exist .

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:  New snow above 550 metres.

ICING: Ice above 700 metres.

COMMENT: Buttresses and ridges are the safer option.
 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12/1/00
A little new snowfall and drifting have left light accumulations 
in sheltered locations primarily on N to SE aspects above 800 
metres. New snow, although unstable on steeper slopes, is not of
sufficient depth to be significant. Otherwise all snow is well 
bonded on most aspects with exposed slopes scoured and icy. 
The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13/1/00
There will be new accumulations on NE through to S aspects. 
Where new deposits form over the existing harder  snowpack, 
particularly on steeper slopes, there will be poor stability. The 
avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy, improves above 900 metres. 

ICING: Some ice around but of variable quality.

COMMENT: Ski touring above 850 m still reasonable.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS WED 12/1/00
Fresh snowfall on a moderate Westerly wind has caused 
accumulations of soft slab to form on N through E to SE aspects 
above 800 metres. Fresh avalanche debris was noted on the East 
face of Beinn a' Chaorainn. In the tops of sheltered gullies and
beneath cornices, where the soft slab is deeper the avalanche 
hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK THU 13/1/00
Further snowfall on fresh Westerly winds will cause windslab 
accumulations to form in sheltered gullies and hollows of a N 
through E to SE aspect above 800 metres. A change in wind 
direction during the period will mean that Southerly aspects will 
also be affected. The avalanche hazard remains Considerable 
(Category 3). Avalanches are likely on the above aspects.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: New snow down to 600 metres. 
Main cover above 750 metres. Difficult going underfoot. Plenty 
for ski-touring.
ICING: Enough ice on most routes.
COMMENT: Nasty, nasty trail breaking. 


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