Southern Cairngorms

SC 15.12.24 Thaw conditions with potential for cornice collapse. Diminishing, generally well bonded snow patches. Av Haz Low.

SC 15.12.24 Thaw conditions with potential for cornice collapse. Diminishing, generally well bonded snow patches. Av Haz Low.

Forecast Snow Stability: Thaw conditions will become established at all elevations. The patchy snow cover will start to soften and diminish, especially at lower altitudes but will be generally well bonded and stable. Any cornice remnants will be prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard will be Low.

Forecast Weather Influences: A mainly dry day with some very light rain arriving by mid-afternoon. The freezing level will rise well above the summits by early evening and remain there for the period. Gale force, generally Westerly winds overnight, increasing in strength to become Storm force by the end of the afternoon. Observed Weather Influences: A dry and mainly overcast day with the occasional brighter period. Winds were initially strong West-North-Westerly, easing through the day to become moderate. The freezing level was around 800 metres at midday, rising slowly during the early afternoon. ObservedSnowStability: Patchy snow cover present on most aspects above 600 metres with smaller areas below this altitude. Exposed locations have been scoured but sheltered locations hold some deeper, well bonded accumulations. Small wind features are present on mainly North-East through South-East to South aspects. Surface layers were either crusty or very icy first thing, softening slightly at lower elevations during the afternoon. The avalanche hazard is Low.