Southern Cairngorms

SC 18/04 Thaw conditions. Cornice collapse! Falling rocks and ice! Soft, wet snow continuing to consolidate. Avalanche hazard - Low.

SC 18/04 Thaw conditions. Cornice collapse! Falling rocks and ice! Soft, wet snow continuing to consolidate. Avalanche hazard - Low.

Forecast Snow Stability: The snow will continue to thaw and consolidate at all levels. Superficial snow cover at lower elevations will disappear fairly rapidly. Deeper accumulations will be encountered above 900 metres in wind sheltered locations on West through North to East aspects. Remaining cornices will be prone to collapse. Falling rocks and ice will be a hazard. The avalanche hazard will be Low.

Forecast Weather Influences: Some drizzle overnight, followed by a dry day. Moderate Southerly winds overnight, steadily increasing to become near gale force by the end of the period. Freezing level lowering briefly to 1150 metres by morning, then climbing to around 1300 metres during the afternoon. Observed Weather Influences: A mild and dry day with the freezing level well above the summits. Moderate South-South-Westerly winds. ObservedSnowStability: There has been a period of overnight instability with numerous small debris sets noted in the location visited. The snow is subject to thaw conditions and has developed soft, wet surface layers. Recent windslab deposits that were present in wind sheltered locations on West thought North to North-East aspects above 1000 metres are consolidating. Some cornices remain above these aspects and are at risk of collapse in the mild conditions. The avalanche hazard is Low.