NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 17/12/05 Moderate Northerly winds with very light snow showers have affected the area, leaving small accumulations of fresh snow mainly on South-Easterly aspects. Old snow patches remain above 900 metres on all aspects. The snowpack is well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 18/12/05 Winds will become South-Westerly with snow showers turning to rain at all levels in rising temperatures. Any new snow accumulations will be small and form within sheltered locations on North and East aspects. Due to new snow lying on the old hard patches the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Hard icy snow patches on all aspects above 900m. ICING: A thin riming has formed on the buttresses. COMMENT: Very cold on the summits today with warmer temperatures expected tomorrow afternoon. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 17/12/05 There is an old and sparse snowpack with accumulations generally restricted to gullies and scarp slopes above 1100m. This snow is re-frozen and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 18/12/05 Light snow is expected to fall overnight, followed by rain as the temperature rises during Sunday. The current snow will remain stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover in N and E facing corries. ICING: Old snow remaining frozen at all levels. COMMENT: Rime ice on the highest of cliffs above 1200m. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------