NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 17-1-00
The maximum overnight temperature on Cairngorm summit was 5
degrees.  This has softened and warmed the upper snowpack layers.
Snow above the snow-ice layer is still cool and dry.  Some evidence
of wrinkling in the snow surface was observed. This indicates
conditions for full-depth release are a consideration in areas
such as the Grewat Slab, Coire an Lochain.  Cornices are weaker.
The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 18-1-00
Continued warm temperatures with very high freezing levels and
additional load from rain will add stress to the snowpack.
Remaining cornices are liable to collapse, possibly triggering
slopes balow.  This will apply to all aspects.  The avalanche
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Moist snow on breakable crust gives 
about 15 centimetre foot penetration when travelling above 850 
metres.

ICING:  Softening ice in the boulder fields and the more  
vertically inclined terrain.   

COMMENT:  Recommended reading -  a good book on wet 
snow avalanches.  


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 17/1/00
Warmer conditions have helped consolidate the existing snowpack.
The tops of gullies scarp slopes and corrie headwalls with NE to
E through to S aspects contain localised areas of moderately
bonded windslab. In these locations the avalanche hazard is
Moderate (Category 2). Large cornices prone to collapse.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 18/1/00
The current mild conditions will continue for the forecast
period. Localised areas of moderately bonded snow will be
present. Greatest accumulations will be at the tops of gullies,
scarp slopes, and corrie headwalls with NE to E through to S
aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).
Cornices remaining unstable and prone to collapse.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best cover above 800m.

ICING: Disappearing quickly off the buttresses.

COMMENT: Hazard of ice and rock fall in thaw conditions



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 17/1/00
Cold conditions overnight have left the snowpack generally firm
and stable. Icy crusts exist on windward slopes. On sheltered N
to E facing corrie headwalls and in summit gullies patches of
soft slab remain. In these locations the avalanche hazard is
Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 18/1/00
Warm conditions with rain above the summits will make the
snowpack soft and moist. Any remaining cornices will be prone to
collapse. Soft slab lying in steep summit gullies will be
potentially unstable. Elsewhere the snowpack will be soft but
generally stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate
(Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Soft snow above 650m.

ICING: Thawing ice above 700m.

COMMENT: Any remaining cornices prone to collapse.
 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 17/1/00
Milder temperatures are in general thawing the snowpack at all 
levels. On N to S aspects recent wind blown deposits have now 
become soft and moist. Cornices are sagging and are very 
suspect with areas of ice beginning to fall. Observers witnessed 
a cornice collapse over a NE aspect. The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2). 

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 18/1/00
Dry mild conditions will continue to thaw the snow at all levels. 
On N to S aspects areas of softer wet snow will be moderately 
bonded on steeper slopes. Any remaining cornices will be 
suspect and ice will be prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard 
will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Moist snow at all levels. Still 
reasonable cover at present.
ICING: Subject to thaw.
COMMENT: Rock and ice fall will be a danger during thaw 
conditions.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 17/1/00
Mild, settled conditions have continued to stabilise the
snowpack, which has become moist and heavy - especially on
Southerly aspects. Patches of moderately well bonded windslab
remain on steep North through East to South aspects above 800
metres. In these areas the avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category
2). Large cornices are still present above North through East to
South-East aspects and these are very unstable and prone to
collapse.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 18/1/00
With the general thaw continuing the snowpack will remain moist
and heavy but generally stable. Patches of moderately well bonded
windslab will remain on steep North through East to South aspects
above 800 metres. Some sluffing of snow and ice off steep rock
slabs will occur. Cornices will remain very unstable. The
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: The thaw continues but still plenty 
of snow above 700 metres, especially in gullies and N and E 
facing corries.

ICING: Soft and running with water.

COMMENT: Spring continues.


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