Northern Cairngorms

NC for 30.12. Generally stable on all aspects and altitudes. Widespread crust. Avalanche Hazard Low.

NC for 30.12. Generally stable on all aspects and altitudes. Widespread crust. Avalanche Hazard Low.

Forecast Snow Stability: The snowpack will be generally stable on all aspects and altitudes, featuring a widespread crust. Later, small accumulations of fresh snow will be deposited above 850 metres on West to North aspects. These are expected to be isolated and avoidable. Areas exposed to the wind will be icy and scoured. The avalanche hazard will be Low.

Forecast Weather Influences: A mostly dry night is expected with light snow showers gradually turning to rain below 900 metres by late afternoon. Winds will be fresh and from the West-North-West initially, increasing to storm force and veering South-Easterly during the day. The freezing level will be around 500 metres rising to 900 metres later. Observed Weather Influences: Overnight rain fell at all elevations. Following this the day was dry with strong winds from the West-North-West. The freezing level was at around 500 metres. ObservedSnowStability: The snowpack is generally stable with a surface rain crust at all elevations. Isolated drifts of fresh snow are covered by this crust on North-East to South-East aspects above 1000 metres and are mostly soft but stable. Outwith these areas the ground is icy and scoured where exposed to the wind. The avalanche hazard is Low.