Southern Cairngorms

SC. 28.3.24 Windslab present on S,W,NW aspects above 900m. Increasingly unstable in the afternoon. Avalanche hazard Considerable.

SC. 28.3.24 Windslab present on S,W,NW aspects above 900m. Increasingly unstable in the afternoon. Avalanche hazard Considerable.

Forecast Snow Stability: New snowfall will be restricted to the highest summits with the snowpack subject to thaw conditions at all levels during the day. Poorest stability will be found on South through West to North-West aspects above 900 metres. Wind sheltered locations, gully tops, scarp and convex slopes will be most affected. Any cornices will be prone to collapse. Isolated wet snow instabilities are also possible in steep lee locations at lower levels. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: There will be light snowfall above 900 metres overnight followed by a dry spell. Early afternoon will see a rise in the freezing level again, with snowfall above 1000 metres and rain at lower levels. Winds, strong mostly South-East overnight, backing and strengthening to the East for most of the day. Observed Weather Influences: Light but continuous snowfall throughout the night, easing in the afternoon. Strong winds from the East overnight, easing to the North-East during the day. ObservedSnowStability: Overnight snowfall with drifting has led to moderate to weakly bonded windslab forming on mainly South through West to North-West aspects. Poorest stability is present around wind sheltered features such as gully tops, scarp slopes and convex slopes above 900 metres. Cornices are starting to develop above many of these locations. Elsewhere, isolated deeper accumulations have formed in lee locations, exposed terrain is scoured. The avalanche hazard is Considerable.