Southern Cairngorms

SC 17/02 Unstable windslab NE to SE aspects above 1000m. Moderately bonded below, and also on N and S aspects. Av Haz Considerable

SC 17/02 Unstable windslab NE to SE aspects above 1000m. Moderately bonded below, and also on N and S aspects. Av Haz Considerable

Forecast Snow Stability: Snowfall and persistent drifting of deposits will form moderate to weakly bonded windslab in wind sheltered locations on North-East to South-East aspects above 1000 metres. Corrie rims, gully tops, deep burn lines etc. will be among the worst affected areas. Here, fragile cornices will form. Below this altitude and on Northerly and some Southerly aspects moderately bonded windslab will be present. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Snowfall above 600 metres early evening, dry for a short period overnight then light snow showers throughout the day to increasingly lower levels. Strong West-North-Westerly winds overnight, increasing to gale force Westerlies during the day. Observed Weather Influences: Overnight snow showers to glen level, dry morning, then further snow showers above 800 metres during the afternoon. Variable Southerly winds overnight, fresh South-Westerlies during afternoon snowfall. The freezing level rose to around 950-1000 metres during the morning, lowering slightly this afternoon. ObservedSnowStability: Moderately bonded windslab is present above 800 metres on a variety of aspects due to the variable winds. Wind sheltered locations on North-West to North-East aspects are holding deepest deposits, especially above 1000 metres where there is some fragile cornice development. East and South-East aspects are also affected but to a lesser degree. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.