Northern Cairngorms

NC for 12.4: Instabilities on steep, convex NE, E to S aspects above 1000m. Wet snow instabilities, and cornice collapse. Mod Haz.

NC for 12.4: Instabilities on steep, convex NE, E to S aspects above 1000m. Wet snow instabilities, and cornice collapse. Mod Haz.

Forecast Snow Stability: The snowpack will continue to consolidate on all aspects and altitudes. Instabilities will persist within deeper accumulations on steep and convex North-East through East to Southerly aspects above 1000 metres. New windslab will develop on West to North aspects above 1000 metres, these accumulations will be isolated and shallow. There will be the potential for wet snow surface instabilities and cornice collapse on many aspects during the afternoon. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate.

Forecast Weather Influences: Gale force South-Easterly winds during the first part of the night, gradually easing through the day to moderate then light. A few light snow showers at around summit levels, these will peter out during the morning and turn to light rain at all levels during the afternoon. The 1000 metre freezing level will rise above the summits during the day. Observed Weather Influences: A dry day with occasional sunny spells. Gale force winds were from the South-East. The freezing level rose to 1000 metres by midday. ObservedSnowStability: Drifting snow above 1000 metres. Moderately bonded windslab has developed on wind sheltered West to North aspects above 1000 metres. The greatest instability is where accumulations have gained depth within steep and convex terrain. On sun exposed slopes and areas below 1000 metres the snowpack is consolidating. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.