Northern Cairngorms

NC for 8/1, weak windslab on mainly NW,N,NE,E abv 800m also W and SE. Cornices, Consolidating at lower levels. Considerable hazard.

NC for 8/1, weak windslab on mainly NW,N,NE,E abv 800m also W and SE. Cornices, Consolidating at lower levels. Considerable hazard.

Forecast Snow Stability: Continued development of very weakly bonded windslab in steep wind sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations, will be on North-West through North to East aspects above 800m, with coire rims, gullies and crag aprons most affected. West and South-East aspects will also be affected due to cross loading. Fragile cornices will continue to develop above all these aspects. Isolated instabilities at lower elevations will gradually consolidate during the day. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Pre dawn snow showers will turn to rain below 800 metres then will clear by mid morning to leave a cloudy, dry remainder of the day. The freezing level will rise from around 200 metres to around 800 metres by dawn falling back to 500 metres by the end of the day. Moderate South-Westerly winds will back Southerly and increase in strength to very strong for a period in the early morning gradually decreasing to moderate and backing West-South-West by midday. Observed Weather Influences: A dry cloudy day with moderate to strong Westerly winds. It was freezing at most levels with a midday summit temperature of -6 degrees Celsius. ObservedSnowStability: Drifting snow is leading to continued development of unstable windslab in steep wind sheltered locations such as corrie rims and gully exits.Greatest accumulations are on North-West through North to East aspects above 800 metres, West and South East aspects are also affected due to crossloading. Cornices above all these aspects are fragile. Isolated instabilities in steep banks at lower elevations above 600 metres remain. The avalanche hazard is Considerable.