Lochaber

LO for 23/1. Turning mild and wet. Areas of windslab becoming unstable on N to E to SE aspects above 900m. Considerable hazard.

LO for 23/1. Turning mild and wet. Areas of windslab becoming unstable on N to E to SE aspects above 900m. Considerable hazard.

Forecast Snow Stability: Overnight fresh areas of windslab will continue to accumulate in wind sheltered locations on mainly North through East to South-East aspects above 900 metres. These deposits will then go through a period of instability during the day, as they becomes saturated in the mild, wet conditions. Cornices will be prone to collapse. On other aspects stability will be better. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Snow showers will continue overnight. The freezing level will remain around 700 metres. During the morning the freezing level will rise well above the summits, and heavy rain is expected at all levels. Gale to storm force Westerly winds will back to the South. Observed Weather Influences: It was a showery day with precipitation falling as snow above around 600 metres. The freezing level was around 700 metres. Gale to storm force winds were from the West-South-West. ObservedSnowStability: After a period of wet snow instability early in the night, the existing snowpack had frozen and consolidated in the colder conditions by dawn. However, through the day, areas of fresh windslab developed above 900 metres in locations sheltered from the strong winds, on mainly North through East to South-East aspects. These deposits are not particularly deep or extensive with gully tops and corrie rims being most affected. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.