NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/2/00
Rain and mild temperatures have completely saturated the 
snowpack, which is depleted below 800 metres.  In most recent 
slab formation, on Easterly aspects above 900 metres, easy 
shears are still evident and the deeper old snow-ice is very wet.  
Most cornices above North and East aspects have already gone.  
The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/2/00
Continuing mild conditions will lead to further attrition of the 
snowpack.  Although there will be a gradual stabilisation, 
isolated  deep pockets of weakly bonded snow will remain on 
steeper East and South-East facing slopes above 900 metres. On 
these aspects, remaining cornices will be liable to collapse.  
There is some hazard of full-depth avalanche over rock slabs on 
any aspect, while rock and ice fall are also a possibility.  The 
avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Corrie headwalls and gullies still 
show adequate cover.
ICING: Collapsing ice pitches possible. Plateau icing still 
evident.  
COMMENT: Colder conditions from late p.m. Saturday.




LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/2/00
A thaw at all levels has produced a moist and generally stable 
snowpack. Some localised instabilities are present on steep NE, 
E and SE aspects. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 
2).
  
AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/2/00
The thaw will continue overnight and during Saturday. The 
existing snowpack will gradually consolidate and stabilise at all 
levels. Remaining cornices will be prone to collapse. The 
avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). Later on Saturday 
afternoon, snow showers and Westerly winds will produce fresh 
areas of windslab on E aspects above 1000 metres. 
Accumulations are not expected to be significant until early 
evening. 


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels.
ICING: Hazard of falling ice in the thaw.
COMMENT: Turning colder on Saturday evening.



GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/2/00
The mild and wet conditions currently affecting the area have 
moistened the snowpack at all levels. Greatest accumulations of 
snow exist in the higher North to East facing corries with areas 
of firm snow ice remaining on exposed slopes. Accumulations 
of old windslab remain mainly in sheltered gullies with a North 
to East aspect above 900 metres. Where deeper windslab 
overlies old snow ice the Avalanche hazard is Moderate 
(Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/2/00
Mild and wet conditions will maintain the snowpack in a soft 
moist condition. In most areas stability will remain good but 
where soft wet slab remains in steeper summit gullies with a 
North to East aspect above 900 metres and on slopes below 
cornices the avalanche hazard will remain Moderate (Category 
2). Colder conditions with light snow later in day will start to 
consolidate the existing snowpack.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow above 750m.

ICING: Thawing ice above 900m.

COMMENT: Limited conditions due to thaw 
 


SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/2/00
With the freezing level well above the summits a heavy thaw is
taking place. The moist snowpack is generally well bonded with 
only a few localised areas of moderately bonded snow persisting 
in some sheltered E to S locations. The avalanche hazard is 
Moderate (Category 2).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/2/00
Continuing thaw conditions will produce a wet but stable 
snowpack with recent accumulations becoming well bonded. 
The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). Cornices 
should be treated with caution and falling ice and rock will 
continue to be a hazard.


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Mainly above 900 metres in N to E 
corries and on high plateau areas.
ICING: Buttresses are black and waterfalls are appearing in the 
gullies. Deeper ice and snow gullies are still there.
COMMENT: Many of the Lochnagar routes are now broken 
with much ice falling off the cliffs on Friday.



CREAG MEAGAIDH
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/2/00
Heavy rain at all levels has saturated the snowpack. Areas of 
wet windslab are present in North through East to South-East 
facing gullies and hollows above 800 metres. Sluffing of snow 
from steep rock slabs has been observed and fresh cornices have 
become unstable: debris from cornice collapse was noted in 
Coire Ardair. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 
3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/2/00
With wet and very mild conditions continuing until late on 
Saturday the snowpack will remain soft and saturated. Wet 
windslab deposits will persist in North through East to South-
East facing gullies and hollows above 800 metres. Cornices will 
be unstable and prone to collapse and there will be some 
sluffing of snow and ice from steep rock slabs. The avalanche 
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3).


CLIMBING CONDITIONS 

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Gullies and hollows are holding the 
most snow, patchy elsewhere.

ICING: Thawing rapidly with temperatures reaching plus 5 
degrees C on the tops, some large nasty holes appearing on 
many routes.

COMMENT: 



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