NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/12/05 Rising temperatures and showers of rain carried by the South-Westerly winds have continued to stabilise the snowpack. The sparse snowpack lying in sheltered areas above 900 metres is generally well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/12/05 The warm temperatures will persist with the freezing level remaining above the summits throughout the day. The snow pack will continue to stabilise where it remains in localised areas on all aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A limited snow cover which exists in more extensive patches on the plateau. ICING: The warm temperatures have stripped any snow off the buttresses. COMMENT: A very limited and sparse snow cover. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/12/05 The snowpack is thawing at all levels. Shallow deposits of fresh wet snow are present above 1000m. Snowpack stability is good. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/12/05 Light rain at all levels overnight will be replaced by drier weather during Friday. The freezing level will remain above the summits. The existing snowpack will continue to thaw gradually at all levels. Snowpack stability will remain good. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Wet snow at all levels. ICING: Freezing level remaining above the summits. COMMENT: Not much chance of a white Christmas. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/12/05 A light cover of snow exists on sheltered North and East facing slopes and gullies above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/12/05 A mild Westerly airflow will affect the area through the period with light rain overnight. Any remaining snow will be soft and moist. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light cover on North and East slopes and gullies above 950 metres ICING: None COMMENT: Poor outlook for climbing conditions SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/12/05 There are limited patches of well consolidated old snow. These are mainly to be found in sheltered locations on NE through SE to S aspects above 900 metres and high on the Cairngorm Plateau. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/12/05 There will be little change to the current situation with patchy old snow being found in sheltered locations on NE through SE to S aspects above 900 metres and high on the Cairngorm Plateau. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very patchy old snow can be found above 900 metres. ICING: Some limited water ice is present on paths but nothing useful was observed. COMMENT: The turf remains fairly firm especially above 900 metres. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS THU 22/12/05 Thursday was a wet day with rain at most levels but with a little sleety snow near the summits. Some isolated old thawing snow patches exist above 850 metres with largest ones being just below corrie rims. Some thin wet new snow is present on North to East aspects above 1000 metres but snow stability is good in all locations. The avlanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK FRI 23/12/05 Dry cool conditions overnight and during Friday will bring only little change to the snowpack. Stbility will remain good in all locations in the slow thaw conditions. The avalanche hazrd will remain Low (Category 1).) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Poor. Patches only above 850m with all gully lines incomplete. ICING: Generally poor. Freezing just above summits on Friday. COMMENT: Dreich on Thursday. Drier on Friday. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------