Northern Cairngorms

NC for 8.1: Avalanches likely NW, N to E aspects above 800m. Unstable windslab on steep banks below 900m. Cornices! Considerable Haz

NC for 8.1: Avalanches likely NW, N to E aspects above 800m. Unstable windslab on steep banks below 900m. Cornices! Considerable Haz

Forecast Snow Stability: Significant drifting throughout the forecast period. Avalanches are likely on North-West through North to East aspects above 900 metres. Areas especially affected will be in steep, wind sheltered locations, such as coire rims, gully exits, flanks, scarp slopes and crag aprons. Other areas will be affected due to cross loading. Fragile cornices will build on these aspects. Unstable windslab will develop on steep banks and shallow gullies below 900m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Snowfall throughout the forecast period. Gale to storm force South to South-South-Westerly winds will gradually ease through the afternoon. During the early morning the freezing level will fall from 900 to 800 metres. Observed Weather Influences: After a period of showers falling as sleet at summit levels, it became a mainly dry day, with strong Southerly winds. The freezing level was around 1100 metres. ObservedSnowStability: The snowpack continues to consolidate at all levels. Some snowpack instabilities were observed on Northerly aspects above 1000 metres, but these were mainly isolated and confined to very steep and convex terrain. Elsewhere the snowpack is generally well bonded and stable throughout. The avalanche hazard is Low.