NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 23/12/05 Mild conditions have continued with strong winds from the West. The snowpack is generally well bonded and stable and lies in patches above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 24/12/05 Strong Westerly winds will continue with light snow showers during the day. Accumulations will be small and form on sheltered East aspects above 1000 metres. The old snowpack will remain well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Lying above 900 metres with largest patches on the plateau. ICING: Remaining snow on steeper ground still firm. COMMENT: Slightly cooler temperatures on Saturday. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 23/12/05 The freezing level is above the summits and occasional showers high up have come from the West. The accumulations of snow found on East facing slopes and some gullies continues to thaw. What remains is stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 24/12/05 The freezing level is expected to remain around the summits with the occasional light snow shower on Saturday. No new significant accumulations are expected. 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 remains above the summits. COMMENT: Old snow patches are likely to re-freeze over the weekend. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 23/12/05 Very small patches of old moist snow exist in sheltered North and East facing slopes but mainly in gullies above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 24/12/05 A strong mild West becoming North-Westerly airflow will affect the area through the period. Snow showers which will occur above 900m are not expected to be significant. The snowpack will remain 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 FRI 23/12/05 Snow cover is generally poor with limited patches of well consolidated old snow to be found in NE through SE to S corries above 900 metres. Greatest cover is to be found on Beinn a' Bhuird and the Cairngorm Plateau. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 24/12/05 There will be some new snow around 1000 metres but it will not be of sufficient quantity to alter the current situation. Patchy old snow will be found in sheltered locations on NE through SE to S aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard will remain 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. COMMENT: Lochnagar is black and the gullies are incomplete. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 23/12/05 It has been a mostly dry day with occasional light drizzle. Snow is confined to corrie rims with only isolated patches of thawing snow above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 24/12/05 It will be dry overnight with snow showers and moderate North- West winds on Saturday. This may result in some deposits of wind-blown snow on the highest ground and in sheltered locations in gully tops above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will remain Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Poor. Patches only above 850m with all gully lines incomplete. ICING: Generally poor. Freezing level 1300m. COMMENT: Some improvement at highest elevations. Things can only get better. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------