Northern Cairngorms

NC for19.1: Avalanches likely, N, E to S asp. Above 900m. Localised below 900m. Later, windslab NW to NE. Cornices! Considerable Haz

NC for19.1: Avalanches likely, N, E to S asp. Above 900m. Localised below 900m. Later, windslab NW to NE. Cornices! Considerable Haz

Forecast Snow Stability: Poorly bonded windslab will continue to develop and become more widespread on North through East to Southerly aspects above 900m, where avalanches are likely. Coire rims, backwalls, gully tops and crag aprons, especially affected. Here also cornices will be prone to collapse. Localised windslab also present on same aspects below 900m. Cross loading will affect other areas. Later, new unstable windslab will develop on North-West to North-East aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable

Forecast Weather Influences: Snow showers are expected to clear during Thursday evening, dry conditions thereafter. Strong to gale force North-West winds will gradually decrease through the morning, becoming light for a spell, then Southerly in direction moderate to fresh during the afternoon. During the day the 500 metre freezing level will rise to 700 metres. Observed Weather Influences: There was a period of heavy intense snow showers during the morning, these became more scattered through the afternoon. Westerly winds were strong to gale force. Very cold, freezing at all levels. ObservedSnowStability: Severe drifting with poorly bonded windslab rapidly becoming more widespread on Northerly through East to Southerly aspects above 900 metres. Unstable windslab is also present on these aspects below 900 metres but localised. Areas especially affected are steep and convex terrain, also coire rims, gully exits and crag aprons. Cross loading has affected many other areas. Fragile cornices continue to develop. The avalanche hazard is Considerable.