Northern Cairngorms

NC for 22.3. Snowpack becoming firm! Isolated and avoidable windslab N to E aspects above 900m. Scoured elsewhere. Av Hazard Low.

NC for 22.3. Snowpack becoming firm! Isolated and avoidable windslab N to E aspects above 900m. Scoured elsewhere. Av Hazard Low.

Forecast Snow Stability: The generally stable snow pack will become firm and consolidated by dawn. Fresh accumulations of isolated and avoidable windslab will build during the day in steep wind sheltered locations, such as gully tops and coire rims, mainly on North to East aspects above 900 metres. Slopes exposed to the wind will remain scoured. The avalanche hazard will be Low.

Forecast Weather Influences: Precipitation is expected with rain overnight at all elevations, gradually turning to snow above 900 metres by dawn. The wind is expected to be Southerly overnight, increasing in strength and veering to become South-Westerly, storm force by dawn. The freezing level will be above the summits initially, falling to 900 metres early in the day. Observed Weather Influences: A mainly dry day after a period of rain overnight. Winds were fresh and from the South-West, with the freezing level above the summits for the duration of the day. ObservedSnowStability: The snowpack is soft and moist at all elevations due to the slow thaw. The greatest snow cover is found on coire back walls and plateau areas above 900 metres. Below this altitude cover is limited to snow patches and isolated ribbons in burn lines. The avalanche hazard is Low.