Northern Cairngorms

Forecast Snow Stability: The snowpack will be moist and thawing at all elevations but generally stable throughout. However, there will be isolated surface instabilities mostly above 1000 metres on North to East aspects primarily around coire rims and gully tops. Cornices will be unstable and prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard will be Low.

Forecast Weather Influences: The freezing level will rise from being around the summits to well above the summits, where it will remain for the duration. Only trace amounts of wet summit snow expected. Winds, generally Southerly, will be fresh initially then increasing through the night to become gale force. Observed Weather Influences: The freezing level has steadily risen throughout the day to be around summit level. Near constant precipitation, at first falling as snow to around 900 metres but latterly becoming confined to the highest summits. Drier late afternoon. Very strong West-South-West winds decreased to become fresh. ObservedSnowStability: Fresh moderately bonded windslab is building primarily on North to East aspects above 1000 metres. These deposits are mostly shallow and are confined to wind-sheltered locations such as gully tops and coire rims. Fragile cornices are developing in the same areas. Elsewhere the snowpack is generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.