Southern Cairngorms

SC 13.03 Unstable windslab - SE through S to W aspects. Deepest in wind sheltered locations above 900m.Cornices! Av Haz Considerable

SC 13.03 Unstable windslab - SE through S to W aspects. Deepest in wind sheltered locations above 900m.Cornices! Av Haz Considerable

Forecast Snow Stability: Snowfall and persistent heavy drifting of deposits will rapidly form unstable windslab on South-East through South to West aspects. In wind sheltered locations above 900 metres, significant accumulations will develop. Fragile cornices will form above these slopes. The old snow will gradually refreeze becoming firm and icy where exposed to the strong winds. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Sleet then snow, arriving overnight on the highest summits, and continuing throughout the period, will settle to increasingly lower altitudes as the freezing level lowers to 300 metres during the afternoon. The Northern boundary of the forecast area will receive significant snowfall. Moderate North-Easterly winds will become strong North-North-Easterlies during the morning. Observed Weather Influences: Limited overnight snowfall followed by a mostly dry morning, with very light rain arriving just before midday. Winds were fresh to strong South-Westerly. Freezing level rose to just above the summits during the morning. ObservedSnowStability: Localised accumulations of moderately bonded windslab have formed on North-West to North-East aspects above 900 metres. Deposits are limited in distribution with deepest accumulations only present in the most wind sheltered locations, such as gully tops and around steep corrie rims. Moderately bonded deposits persist on East through South to West aspects above 900 metres, but with some consolidation now taking place in the slightly milder conditions. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.