Northern Cairngorms

NC for 5.4: New unstable windslab on SW through W to N aspects above 900 metres. Cornices will be unstable. Moderate Hazard.

NC for 5.4: New unstable windslab on SW through W to N aspects above 900 metres. Cornices will be unstable. Moderate Hazard.

Forecast Snow Stability: New accumulations of unstable windslab will develop on South-West through West to Northerly aspects above 900 metres. Areas most affected will be in steep, wind sheltered locations such as below coire rims, the tops of gulliles and crag aprons. As the freezing level rises all cornices will become increasingly unstable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate.

Forecast Weather Influences: Snowfall from the middle of the night onwards. This will be heaviest during the early morning, then lighter and possibly turning to sleet towards summit levels through the afternoon. Fresh East-South-East winds will become gale force during the early morning before decreasing to strong through the day. The 600 metre freezing level will steadily rise to summit levels by the end of the forecast period. Observed Weather Influences: Snow showers cleared by midday to leave a dry afternoon. Easterly winds were light to moderate. The freezing level was around 900 metres. ObservedSnowStability: There is a thin cover of new snow above 700 metres. Accumulations of unstable windslab have developed on South through West to North-West aspects above 1000 metres. The greatest instability is in steep locations such as coire rims, gully tops and convexities. Unstable cornices overhang these areas. Elsewhere the snowpack is generally stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.