Southern Cairngorms

SC for 20.2. Wet snow instabilities as thaw conditions commence. W,NW,N,NE aspts 900m+ most affected. Avalanche Hazard Considerable.

SC for 20.2. Wet snow instabilities as thaw conditions commence. W,NW,N,NE aspts 900m+ most affected. Avalanche Hazard Considerable.

Forecast Snow Stability: The snowpack will become moist, quickly developing instabilities with the onset of rain. Areas most affected will be West through North to North-East aspects above 900 metres, particularly in steep locations such as coire rims, gullies and convex slopes where accumulations are greatest. Cornices are likely to collapse, after which a slowly stabilising trend will become established. Elsewhere the snowpack will be mostly stable, slowly reducing in extent. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Rain is expected at all elevations from the early hours of the morning. South-South-Easterly winds will veer to the South-West by the end of the period, reaching storm force. The freezing level will quickly rise to 2000 metres, falling to 1200 metres by the end of the period. Observed Weather Influences: A dry day with very strong to gale force South-Easterly winds. The freezing level was around 650 metres at midday. ObservedSnowStability: Unstable windslab is present in steep wind sheltered locations on West through North to North-East aspects above 900 metres. Accumulations continue to build in areas such as coire rims, gully tops and on convex slopes. At lower elevations isolated moderately bonded drifts are also present. Cornices remain fragile and prone to collapse. Elsewhere a covering of fresh snow is present covering older firm snow patches. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.