Northern Cairngorms

NC for 8.12. Unstable windslab on SE,S,SW aspects above 800m avalanches likely. Mod poor on W,NW,N,NE,E above 800m. Haz Considerable

NC for 8.12. Unstable windslab on SE,S,SW aspects above 800m avalanches likely. Mod poor on W,NW,N,NE,E above 800m. Haz Considerable

Forecast Snow Stability: Unstable widespread windslab will be present on mainly South-East to South-Westerly aspects above 800m where avalanches are likely. Steep places such as wind sheltered gully tops, coire backwalls and convex terrain will be most affected. Some stabilisation will take place in the snowpack on W through N to E aspects above 600m but instabilities will remain in the deeper deposits above 800m. Coire rims, crag aprons and gully tops most affected. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable

Forecast Weather Influences: Freezing level around 800m throughout the period. Winds Northerly overnight and during the day remaining storm force at first then very strong to strong in the day. Precipitation heavy during Saturday evening, with snow above 800m becoming showery through the morning then dry. Significant drifting will continue. Observed Weather Influences: Poor visibility above 600m. Winds Northerly increasing in strength to storm force by midday. Persistent precipitation throughout the day falling as snow above 500m heavy at times with significant drifting at higher elevations. Freezing level around 600 metres. ObservedSnowStability: Some consolidation of the snowpack on North-West to North-Easterly aspects above 600m but instabilities remain in the deeper deposits above 800m. Especially in gullies and coire backwalls. On South-East to South-Westerly aspects unstable and widespread windslab continues to build above 800m. With steep terrain, gullies and coire backwalls most affected. The avalanche hazard is Considerable