Northern Cairngorms

NC for 20/12: The snowpack will consolidate in most locations above 800m. Isolated instabilities on steep locations below. Low Haz

NC for 20/12: The snowpack will consolidate in most locations above 800m. Isolated instabilities on steep locations below. Low Haz

Forecast Snow Stability: As it turns cooler the moist snowpack will begin to consolidate in most locations above 800 metres. Below this altitudes some isolated instabilities will persist on steep banks and shallow gullies. New accumulations of windslab will develop in wind sheltered locations on North-West to North-East aspects above 950 metres. These will be generally isolated and avoidable. The avalanche hazard will be Low.

Forecast Weather Influences: Gale force South-South-Westerly winds will ease to strong. Light rain will turn to occasional snow showers. During the night the freezing level will fall to 1000 metres then 800 metres through the day. Observed Weather Influences: Rain at all levels on gale force Southerly winds. The freezing level was well above the summits. ObservedSnowStability: Significant snow loss due to the snowpack thawing at all altitudes. Wet snow instabilities are present on many steep slopes. Areas most affected are on West through North to North-East aspects above 700 metres. Elsewhere isolated wet snow instabilities persist in steep locations. Cornices are unstable. The avalanche hazard is Considerable.