Northern Cairngorms

NC for 9.1: Unstable windslab on NW, NE to SE aspects above 800m, especially, gully tops and coire rims. Fragile cornices. Mod Haz.

NC for 9.1: Unstable windslab on NW, NE to SE aspects above 800m, especially, gully tops and coire rims. Fragile cornices. Mod Haz.

Forecast Snow Stability: Drifting snow at higher altitudes. Unstable windslab will continue to develop on North-West through North-East to South-East aspects mainly above 800m. The greatest instability will be above 950 metres in steep wind sheltered locations such as corrie rims, gully exits, scarp slopes and crag aprons. Cornices will be fragile. Cross loading will affect other areas. As the day progresses, Westerly aspects will gradually become eroded. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate.

Forecast Weather Influences: Gale force Southerly winds will ease and veer during the night to become very strong West-South-Westerly. It is expected to be mostly dry with some occasional light snow showers above 700 metres. The freezing level will fluctuate between 700 and 800 metres. Observed Weather Influences: Snowfall cleared during the early morning to leave a mostly dry day. Storm force winds were Southerly in direction. The freezing level was around 800 metres. ObservedSnowStability: Significant drifting above 900 metres. Poorly bonded windslab has developed on North-West through North to East aspects above 900 metres. Areas most affected are within steep, wind sheltered locations, such as coire rims, gully exits, flanks, scarp slopes and crag aprons. Other areas are affected due to cross loading. Fragile cornices have developed on these aspects. Localised and isolated accumualtions of windslab are present on steep banks below 900m. The avalanche hazard is Considerable.