NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/12/03 There has been a dusting of snow above 650 metres but not enough on the small patches of old snow-ice to reach avalanche threshold. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/12/03 Moderate snow is forecast with South-East to Easterly winds. Snow amounts forecast will not contribute to instability. The avalanche category will be Low (Category 1). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Still very limited cover, but hopefully this will change over the weekend. ICING: Some growth noted, but very limited supply. COMMENT: Crampons and ice-axes are still required on steep, rocky ground. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/12/03 A light dusting of snow is present above 900m. The older snow patches have re-frozen. Snow stability is good. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/12/03 Snow showers are expected overnight, turning heavier during Saturday and accompanied by an Easterly wind. Some localised areas of fresh windslab are expected to form. These will be localised to the tops of West facing slopes and gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Light dusting of fresh snow above 900m. ICING: Freezing level lowering to 100m. COMMENT: Old snow patches becoming hard frozen. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/12/03 Colder conditions and a light covering of fresh snow exist above 750m. However the general snow cover is patchy and it is mainly restricted to sheltered areas in the higher corries and gullies. The snowpack is generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/12/03 Snow showers and strong South-Easterly winds will affect the area during Saturday and the winds could be gale force at times. This will deposit accumulations of fresh snow in all sheltered locations but mainly gullies and sheltered corrie headwalls. Snow will fall as low as 200m but the greatest accumulations are to be expected above 700m on SW to NW aspects. Some windslab will be present in these locations. The avalanche hazard will become Moderate (Category 2) as the depth of the snowpack increases in sheltered areas. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Patchy cover in higher corries and gullies. Snow forecast above 200m overnight and during Saturday. ICING: No significant ice but will start to re-form on rocks and paths above 200 metres. COMMENT: A wintry day is forecast which will bring snow to most levels - it could be very windy in the tops! SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/12/03 There was a trace of new snow overnight but this is quickly thawing in direct sunlight. The majority of hills have no snow with only the higher mountains retaining patches which have now re-frozen. These are mainly to be found at the top of high NE corries. The avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/12/03 Light snow showers overnight will precede moderate snowfall on Saturday. Initially deposits will form on bare ground on W to N aspects. As the wind shifts to the NE during the day moderately bonded windslab will build in sheltered locations on S to W aspects from valley level. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Insignificant patchy snow but the cover is likely to improve over the weekend. ICING: Buttresses bare today but ground has re-frozen. COMMENT: Blizzard conditions expected at times. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 19/12/03 Light snow showers have resulted in a very small dusting of new snow above 850m. Isolated patches of old snow are re-frozen and stable. Avalanche hazard low (Category 1) AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 20/12/03 Snow, initially light, becoming moderate on strengthening SE then NE winds, will result in areas of new drifted snow down to 200m. Towards the end of the forecast period instabilities will develop on corrie rims and gullies, primarily on North through to West facing slopes where these new accumulations overlie old deposits. In these isolated locations the avalanche hazard will be Moderate (Category 2) CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Very light dusting only above 850m, cover still very sparse ICING: Small quantities beginning to develop high in gully tops COMMENT: Some overall improvement hoped for but winds strengthening and weather deteriorating during the day.