Torridon

TO for 20.12. Thaw continuing at first. Later unstable windslab building on NW to NE aspects above 800m. Avalanche Hazard Moderate.

TO for 20.12. Thaw continuing at first. Later unstable windslab building on NW to NE aspects above 800m. Avalanche Hazard Moderate.

Forecast Snow Stability: The snowpack will continue to deplete in the thaw and generally consolidate. As the freezing level lowers overnight there will be some firming of the snowpack. Later, the fresh new snow will be transported in the strong wind, building unstable windslab onto high wind sheltered aspects on North-West to North-East aspects. Areas mainly affected will be the tops of gullies and wind sheltered ridge crests above 800 metres. Here some cornice growth is likely. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate.

Forecast Weather Influences: The rain showers will clear overnight with more showers expected later and during the day. Winds will be strong generally South-South-Westerly. The freezing level will lower gradually to around 800 meters with moderate snow showers at summit levels. Snow amounts are expected to be heavier further inland away from the coastal mountains. Observed Weather Influences: It has been a mild day with scattered showers falling as rain at all levels on Southerly winds. The freezing level was above summit levels. ObservedSnowStability: There has been a thaw at all levels which has led to a slow consolidation of the wet snowpack on most aspects. Some very localised unstable areas of windslab remain on very steep wind sheltered North-West to North-Easterly aspects above 850 metres. Any remaining cornices are fragile. Some wind exposed South-Easterly aspects have been scoured with good snow cover remaining above 400 metres elsewhere. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.