NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 20/1/00
Some snow on overnight North-Westerly winds has drifted to 
form shallow new deposits on mainly South-East facing slopes. 
This has bonded well to the existing surface, but below this a 
softer layer of partly re-frozen snow slides easily on a denser 
crust.  A warm layer of air with rain at around the 1000 metre 
level has prevented real consolidation of the snowpack.  The 
avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 21/1/00
Light snow showers on Northerly winds will bring a little 
additional build-up on South-East to South aspects.  While this 
new accumulation is not likely to be significant, on some steep 
East to South facing slopes, mainly above 900 metres, pockets 
of deeper instability will persist.  These  may fail with high 
overload.  The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).  
In these conditions, any appreciable drifting will rapidly 
increase avalanche hazard.  


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 
SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A dusting of new snow only. 
Plateau and corries still have good cover.   
ICING: Bizarre conditions today, with rain on plateau, but 
good solid ice in corries.
COMMENT: A less dismal day than it appeared. 


LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 20/1/00
There has been a light dusting of fresh snow above 900 metres 
overnight but this has had no effect on the overall snow 
stability. Stability remains good on all aspects. The avalanche 
hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 21/1/00
Some light snow showers and NW winds are expected overnight 
and during Friday. Any significant accumulations of new snow 
will be restricted to sheltered SE and S aspects. Elsewhere the 
snowpack will be stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate 
(Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main accumulations remain in N 
and E facing corries above 800m.
ICING: Widespread snow-ice on open slopes. 
COMMENT: Crampons and ice-axe essential for all hill users.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 20/1/00
A firm crust has formed on the snowpack above 700 metres. On 
exposed slopes this crust is icy. On slopes with a sunny aspect 
areas of softer wet snow exist. In general the snowpack is stable 
and the avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 21/1/00
A dusting of new snow will accumulate on E to S facing slopes 
above 500m. Pockets of shallow soft slab will be deposited in 
sheltered summit gullies. These deposits are not expected to be 
significant. Where these deposits overlie old snow ice the 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow cover above 700m.

ICING: Ice above 700m.

COMMENT: Crampons and axe essential in hard snow ice 
conditions.
 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 20/1/00
A trace of fresh snow has had no effect on the stability of the 
snowpack, which is well bonded on all aspects. The avalanche 
hazard is Low (Category 1).
 
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 21/1/00
Colder temperatures will continue to refreeze the snowpack at 
all levels. There will be no change to the avalanche hazard 
which will remain Low (Category 1).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: N to E corries holding most 
amounts, with extensive patches on high plateau areas.

ICING: Remaining ice refreezing in return to colder conditions.
 
COMMENT: Refrozen snow will be firm and icy.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 20/1/00
Weather conditions in the area have remained relatively cold 
and calm with no further precipitation. This has left the 
snowpack well bonded and stable on all aspects. Large cornices 
still overhang North through East to South-East aspects but 
appear well frozen. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).
  
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 21/1/00
The relatively cold, calm and dry conditions will continue 
leaving the snowpack well bonded and stable on all aspects. 
Large cornices will still be evident above North through East to 
South-East aspects, although should be well frozen in the colder 
conditions. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1).
 

CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Main cover above 800 metres. 
Patchy on exposed ridges. Easier climbs are all complete.

ICING: Pinnacle Buttress is pretty bare. The Post Face and 
Inner Coire are a better bet with most routes complete, although 
you may have to work round the odd hole.

COMMENT: Could still do with a further drop in temperature 
to aid the climbing conditions.




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