NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 19/12/05 Light snow showers on strong North-Westerly winds have left isolated deposits of new wind-slab on South-Easterly aspects above 950 metres. When tested on a South-East aspect at 1100 metres some instability was present within a weak layer between the old snow and the new. Elsewhere patches of well-bonded snow remain on all aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 20/12/05 Temperatures will rise overnight to above freezing at all levels. Strong South-Westerly winds will carry light snow turning to light rain. Isolated instabilities will remain on South-Easterly aspects above 950 metres where wet slab will lie on old snow. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patches of icy hard snow on all aspects above 900m. ICING: Ice formed on easy angled ground, climbing won't improve in milder temperatures. COMMENT: Enough snow depth around in select areas for snow holing. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS MON 19/12/05 There is a light dusting of snow above 900m, although accumulations are not significant. Old snow patches remain frozen and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK TUE 20/12/05 Any snow showers overnight will be replaced by rain at all levels during Tuesday. There will be no significant new snow accumulations. Old patches of snow will remain stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Some fresh wet snow above 900m, otherwise patchy old cover. ICING: Freezing level rising above the summits again by Tuesday morning. COMMENT:A return to milder conditions. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------