Southern Cairngorms

SC 03/03 Unstable windslab in wind sheltered locations on W to N aspects above 800m. Fragile Cornices! Aval. hazard - Considerable.

SC 03/03 Unstable windslab in wind sheltered locations on W to N aspects above 800m. Fragile Cornices! Aval. hazard - Considerable.

Forecast Snow Stability: Moderately to weakly bonded windslab will rapidly form in wind sheltered locations on mainly West to North aspects above 800 metres with localised, moderately bonded deposits forming below this altitude. Fragile cornices will form above these slopes. Some cross-loading of South-West and North-East aspects will also occur above 800 metres. Elsewhere the snow will tend to be well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Heavy snowfall above 750 metres overnight, easing during the day and turning to rain below 1100 metres. Gale force South-Easterly winds overnight, gradually easing to fresh Southerly by the end of the afternoon. 750 metre freezing level overnight, rising to 1200 metres by mid-morning and then 1100 metres during the afternoon. Observed Weather Influences: A dry and bright start with cloud building during the morning; thickening and lowering in the afternoon. Strong South-South-Easterly winds. Freezing level around 700 metres. ObservedSnowStability: The snowpack remains firm, well bonded and stable on all aspects. There is good cover above 800 metres with greatest amounts of snow being present on North through East to South-East aspects. Large cornices overhang some slopes on these aspects. Patchy cover below 800 metres especially on West aspects and in exposed locations. The avalanche hazard is Low.