Northern Cairngorms

Forecast Snow Stability: Accumulations of poorly bonded windslab will become more widespread on North to East aspects above 950 metres. These will be more localised on North-West and South-East aspects, with steep banks and burn lines below 950 metres also affected. On these aspects, fragile cornices will develop. Elsewhere the snowpack will be firm wind scoured and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Snow showers are expected throughout the forecast period. Gale force South-Westerly winds will ease to strong during the day and veer to become West-South-Westerly. The freezing level will rise from 400 metres to around 700 metres during the day. Observed Weather Influences: Heavy rain with snowfall above 1000 metres overnight; this became more showery during the day, turning to snow at lower levels by mid afternoon. Winds were gale to storm force South-Westerly in direction. The freezing level fell to 1000 metres by midday. ObservedSnowStability: Accumulations of moist moderately bonded windslab have developed on North to East aspects above 900 metres. The greatest instability is in steep wind sheltered terrain such as the tops of gullies, ridge flanks and coire rims. Wet snow instabilities were observed on a steep North aspect at 1050 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.