Northern Cairngorms

NC for 25.12. Small amount of fresh snow forecasted. Old snowpack will refreeze. Low hazard.

NC for 25.12. Small amount of fresh snow forecasted. Old snowpack will refreeze. Low hazard.

Forecast Snow Stability: Fresh accumulations of snowfall are not expected to be significant. Greatest amounts of fresh windslab will be found mainly in steep wind sheltered locations such as gully tops and coire headwalls and easily avoidable. Aspects most affected will be Northerly through East to Southerly above 1000 metres. The old existing snowpack, mainly in North facing coires above 950 metres will start to refreeze and will be stable and firm throughout. The avalanche hazard will be Low

Forecast Weather Influences: A dry evening and morning is expected before precipitation becomes established around midday. Snow will initially be confined to the highest summits before lowering to around 700 metres by the end of the day. Overnight the freezing level will gradually lower to 600 metres before spiking around midday to 900 metres then to 700 metres. Westerly storm force winds will gradually back and ease to become very strong South-Westerlies before veering North-West. Observed Weather Influences: A wet day with frequent showers especially in the afternoon. Initially falling as rain to all levels, showers gradually turned more wintry producing snow above 950 metres from midday. After a mild evening the freezing level lowered to 1000 metres. Storm force West-South-West winds. ObservedSnowStability: On most aspects a thin covering of fresh snow is now settling above 950 metres, mostly on bare ground. The remains of the old existing moist snow pack is confined to the highest of locations and remains stable and well bonded throughout. Greatest accumulations can be found in steep wind sheltered locations such as coire headwalls, crag aprons and gully tops. The avalanche hazard is Low.