Northern Cairngorms

Forecast Snow Stability: Fresh unstable windslab will be deposited on West through North to North-East aspects above 900 metres, where it will add to already deep accumulations. Coire headwalls, gullies and crag aprons will be affected. Large cornices will also be present above these aspects. Below 900 metres steep rollovers, convexities and steep banks will harbour lingering instabilities. Elsewhere, the snow will be subject to slow consolidation. Wind exposed slopes are firm. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Snowfall is expected overnight and throughout daylight hours, with the greatest amounts in the east of the Northern Cairngorms area. Winds will be generally from the South-East, strong overnight gradually increasing to gale force by the afternoon. The freezing level will be around 900 metres lowering to 600 metres later. Observed Weather Influences: A dry and bright day, following snowfall in the first part of the night. Winds were South-Easterly storm force overnight, fresh to strong during the day. A maximum gust of 130 mph was recorded at 1245 metres during the last reporting period. The freezing level was around 900 metres at midday. ObservedSnowStability: Unstable windslab is present on West through North to North-East aspects above 900 metres, mostly in steep wind sheltered locations. Examples include gullies and coire headwalls, where large cornices have developed. At elevations below 900 metres, more localised moderately bonded windslab is present. This is mostly confined to steep rollovers, convexities and steep banks. The avalanche hazard is Considerable.