Northern Cairngorms

NC for 12.4 Unstable windslab building. Mainly on W-N-NE aspects above 800m. Avalanches likely. Also E and below 800m. Considerable

NC for 12.4 Unstable windslab building. Mainly on W-N-NE aspects above 800m. Avalanches likely. Also E and below 800m. Considerable

Forecast Snow Stability: Fresh unstable windslab will continue to be deposited in wind sheltered areas throughout the period. Greatest accumulations will be on West through North to North-East aspects above 800 metres, where avalanches are likely. East aspects will also be affected. Below 800 metres unstable windslab will also build, especially on steep banks and slopes. Fragile cornices will build above the same aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Winds will be gale force, mainly East-South-Easterly overnight then South-South-Westerly, and South-South-Easterly from late morning. Overnight the freezing level will drop from 1000 metres to around 600 metres where it will remain through the day. Snowfall is expected throughout the period, above 700 metres overnight when it will be heaviest and above 500 metres during the day. Observed Weather Influences: It was a mainly dry day, with some flurries of snow above around 850 metres. Winds were strong Westerly. The freezing level rose to around 1000 metres. ObservedSnowStability: There is a dusting of new snow above around 900 metres. The old snowpack is generally stable on all aspects and at all levels. Its surface has refrozen in most places, and is most widespread on steep coire back walls and on the plateau above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low.