Northern Cairngorms

NC for 25.3: Snowfall clearing mid morning. Unstable windslab building on SE, S to W aspects above 900m, fragile cornices. Mod. Haz.

NC for 25.3: Snowfall clearing mid morning. Unstable windslab building on SE, S to W aspects above 900m, fragile cornices. Mod. Haz.

Forecast Snow Stability: New unstable windslab will develop on South-East through South to West aspects above 900 metres. The greatest instability will be in steep wind sheltered terrain such as coire rims, headwalls, gully tops and convexities. On these aspects, fragile cornices will develop. Elsewhere the old snowpack will become firm, well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate.

Forecast Weather Influences: Snowfall is expected during the night, this will clear by mid morning to leave a mostly dry day. Moderate North-North-Easterly winds will increase to strong before gradually easing through the day. The 1000 metre freezing level will fall to 700 metres by dawn and remain at this level for the rest of the day. Observed Weather Influences: Some light precipitation falling as snow above 900 metres. Winds were light to moderate South-Westerly, the midday freezing level was around 1000 metres. ObservedSnowStability: Soft accumulations of consolidating windslab are present on North-West through North to East aspects above 1000 metres. On these aspects surface instabilities were evident in areas of steep terrain such as coire rims, headwalls and gully tops. Elsewhere the snowpack is generally well bonded and stable. At lower elevations the snow cover is patchy and limited in extent. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.