Northern Cairngorms

NC for 4.1: Drifting snow, NW winds. Unstable windslab, NE, E to S aspects above 800m, cross loading, fragile cornices. Mod. Haz.

NC for 4.1: Drifting snow, NW winds. Unstable windslab, NE, E to S aspects above 800m, cross loading, fragile cornices. Mod. Haz.

Forecast Snow Stability: There will be significant drifting with new accumulations of windslab developing on North-East through East to Southerly aspects above 800 metres. Greatest instability will be where accumulations gain depth within steep wind sheltered areas such as below coire rims, the tops of gullies and crag aprons. Isolated windslab will develop on other aspects due to cross loading. Fragile cornices will begin to develop. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate.

Forecast Weather Influences: Snow showers at all levels on strong to gale force North-Westerly winds. The freezing level will be around 400 metres. Observed Weather Influences: Strong Westerly winds with snowfall, this cleared by mid morning. Later the winds veered and eased to become light to moderate North-Westerly in direction. The freezing level was around 500 metres. ObservedSnowStability: There is a widespread superficial covering of soft new snow on all aspects. Unstable windslab has developed mainly on North-East to South-Easterly aspects above 950 metres. Greatest instability is where deeper accumulations lie within steep, wind sheltered locations. Isolated windslab was also observed on other aspects due to cross loading. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.