Southern Cairngorms

SC for 18.12.23 Patchy, thawing snow. Soft but well bonded and stable on all aspects. Avalanche hazard Low.

SC for 18.12.23 Patchy, thawing snow. Soft but well bonded and stable on all aspects. Avalanche hazard Low.

Forecast Snow Stability: Very little change expected with the patchy snow continuing to thaw. The rate of thaw will slow as the freezing level lowers. Largest areas of snow will be found on the higher summits, with only small patches present on the sub 950 metre tops. The snow will be well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low.

Forecast Weather Influences: Overnight drizzle followed by a mainly dry day. Small potential for light precipitation on Monday afternoon, falling as snow above 1000 metres. Fresh South-Westerly winds, increasing to strong Westerlies during the afternoon. Freezing level remaining above the summits, eventually lowering to around 1300 metres, late in the period. Observed Weather Influences: Mild with light rain and strong winds. Freezing level well above the summits with plus 6.1 degrees centigrade recorded at 930 metres at midday. ObservedSnowStability: Significant overnight snow loss with patchy cover present above 850 metres. Wind sheltered locations holding slightly deeper accumulations. The remaining snow is soft with wet surface layers, but is generally well bonded and stable. Greatest hazard is presented by rock fall, due to thawing ice and receding snow. The avalanche hazard is Low.