Southern Cairngorms

Forecast Snow Stability: Moderately to weakly bonded windslab will continue to develop. There will be an increased period of instability during the afternoon when avalanches will be likely on steep wind sheltered locations on South-West through West to North aspects above 900 metres. North-Easterly aspects will also be affected by cross-loading. Cornices will be prone to collapse. Below 900 metres the snowpack will slowly consolidate. Wind exposed slopes will be firm and icy. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Strong Easterly winds will back East-North-East for a few hours during the day. The freezing level will rise gradually at first from 600 metres to around 800 metres, then more quickly during the afternoon to around 1100 metres. Showery precipitation throughout the period will be heavier for a time during the morning. Falling as snow initially to 500 metres then confined to the highest summits by the end of the day. Observed Weather Influences: Fresh snow fall overnight to low levels which was more Intermittent throughout the day. Strong Easterly winds. Freezing level around 400 metres. ObservedSnowStability: There has been some consolidation of recent deposits but unstable windslab is developing in wind sheltered locations on some South-West but mostly West to North aspects above 900 metres. Moderately bonded snow is also present in steep sheltered locations above 600 metres. Fragile cornices have formed above these aspects. Slopes exposed to the winds are scoured and icy. The avalanche hazard is Considerable.