Southern Cairngorms

SC for 1.25 Isolated windslab, N-E then SE to SW above 900m. Avalanche Hazard Low.

SC for 1.25 Isolated windslab, N-E then SE to SW above 900m. Avalanche Hazard Low.

Forecast Snow Stability: Isolated accumulations of windslab will build overnight on North to East aspects followed mostly by South-East to South-West aspects as the wind changes. Areas most affected will be coire rims above 900 metres. Accumulations are expected to be shallow and avoidable, although deeper deposits can be expected on the Northern boundary of this area. Elsewhere, a superficial covering of snow will be present from glen level upwards by the end of the day. The avalanche hazard will be Low.

Forecast Weather Influences: Precipitation is expected in the first part of the night. Initially falling as rain at all elevations, this will gradually turn to snow above 200 metres by the end of the day. The freezing level will be above the summits, dropping to 500 metres by dawn, reaching 250 metres later. Winds will be West-South-Westerly and generally gale force, easing slightly only to veer and become gale force North-North-Easterlies. Observed Weather Influences: Overnight snow fell above 250 metres, before turning to rain at all elevations. Rain continued through the day, becoming showery later. Winds were generally from the South-South-West and gale force. At midday the freezing level was well above the summits. ObservedSnowStability: By dawn thaw conditions prevailed, with a light, patchy covering of moist slushy snow above 900 metres. Isolated accumulations were observed to slowly diminish on and around coire rims above 1000 metres on North-West to North aspects. Elsewhere, bare ground is abundant, with old, firm snow patches lingering on North-East to South-East aspects, particularly in the high coires of the central Cairngorms massif. The avalanche hazard is Low.