NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/12/05 It has been a fine dry day with cooler temperatures and moderate winds from the North-West. At 1100 metres on a steep Easterly aspect a slush layer was present within the snowpack, but tests showed good stability. The remaining snowpack lies mainly on South-East aspects above 900 metres and is generally well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/12/05 It will remain cold with light winds from the North-West. There will be some light snow overnight which will give way to a fine dry day. Any new accumulations will be small and lie on South-East aspects above 700 metres. The old snowpack will remain well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Firm patches of old snow above 900 metres with largest areas on the plateau. ICING: Ice still forming in the cooler temperatures. COMMENT: High pressure building over the Cairngorms for Christmas Day. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/12/05 Slightly cooler temperatures are starting to re-freeze the old snow surface. A patchy cover of old snow still exists in some gullies and scarp slopes in North and East facing corries above 1000m. Snowpack stability is good. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/12/05 Cool and dry conditions will continue overnight and during Christmas day. The patchy old snowpack will remain stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A patchy cover of old snow exists in some gullies and scarp slopes in North and East facing corries above 1000m. ICING: Snow should remain frozen. COMMENT: Looks like a pleasant day on Sunday, although not very wintry! GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/12/05 Dry and cooler conditions have affected the area. A trace of new snow and small patches of old re-frozen snow exist in sheltered North and East facing corries but mainly in gullies above 950 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/12/05 Dry conditions will continue through Christmas day with light to moderate SW winds. A trace of snow above 950m will remain and old snow patches will be stable. 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: Some frost above 900m. COMMENT: "MERRY CHRISTMAS" SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS SAT 24/12/05 It has been a dry day with no new snow. Limited patches of firm old snow are to be found on NE through SE to S aspects 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 SUN 25/12/05 There will be no change to the current situation. Patchy well consolidated snow will be found in sheltered locations on NE through SE to S aspects above 900 metres. This old snow will continue to provide firm conditions underfoot. The avalanche hazard will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy but very firm 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 SAT 24/12/05 Christmas Eve was a dry and bright day on Creag Meagaidh but with somewhat cooler tempertures than of late. The snowpack remains unchanged and consists of a few isolated old snow patches above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard remains Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SUN 25/12/05 Christmas Day will be a little colder with a few snow flurries on light Northerly winds. There will be a dusting of new snow near summits but this will bring little change to the current Low (Category 1) hazard of avalanche. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Poor. Main accumulations are on corrie rims and a few gully heads above 950m. ICING: Freezing level 1200m on Christmas Day. COMMENT: Creag Meagaidh is very quiet at the moment, a bit like "Ice Station Zebra". Merry Christmas. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------