Northern Cairngorms

NC for 20.3: Localised instabilities - NW to NE aspects above 1000m, below coire rims, steep terrain. Elsewhere stable. Moderate Haz

NC for 20.3: Localised instabilities - NW to NE aspects above 1000m, below coire rims, steep terrain. Elsewhere stable. Moderate Haz

Forecast Snow Stability: The vast majority of the snowpack will be well bonded and stable throughout; firm on shaded areas, softening on sun exposed slopes. Localised accumulations of unstable windslab will remain on North-West to North-East aspects above 1000 metres. Areas most affected will be below coire rims, also steep and convex terrain. Cornices will be unstable, especially on sun exposed slopes. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate.

Forecast Weather Influences: Gale force South-South-Easterly winds will ease through the afternoon. Dry throughout the forecast period with extended spells of sunshine during the day. Although the freezing level will remain above the summits, it will be cold with summit temperatures between minus 1C to minus 3C. This is due to inversion conditions.

Observed Weather Influences: A sunny day with strong to gale force South-South-Easterly winds. The freezing level was above the summits. ObservedSnowStability: Drifting snow during the morning. Localised accumulations of windslab are present on North-West to North-East aspects above 1000 metres. Areas most affected are below coire rims and steep convex terrain. Cornices especially on sun affected slopes are unstable. Elsewhere the snowpack remains well bonded and stable throughout. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.