Northern Cairngorms

NC for 31.12:Overnight snow then rain, cool later. Unstable windslab and wet snow instabilities, W, NW,N, NE asp. abv. 900m.Mod Haz

NC for 31.12:Overnight snow then rain, cool later. Unstable windslab and wet snow instabilities, W, NW,N, NE asp. abv. 900m.Mod Haz

Forecast Snow Stability: During the first part of the night unstable windslab and cornices will quickly develop on West through North to North-East aspects above 900m. Areas such as coire rims, crag aprons and gully exits will be especially affected. During the latter part of the night a period of wet snow instabilities and cornice collapse will follow, before the snowpack begins to consolidate; Later, isolated accumulations of windslab will develop on Easterly aspects above 1000m. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate

Forecast Weather Influences: Overnight, heavy snowfall is expected above 600 metres. During this time moderate South-East winds will increase gale to storm force and veer to become South-Westerly. During the latter part of the night and early morning heavy rain will fall at all levels as the 700 metre freezing level rises sharply to above the summits. Turning cooler during the day with further snow showers above 1000 metres. Observed Weather Influences: Heavy rain at all levels, this cleared during the morning. Cooler temperatures followed with occasional showers falling as sleet and snow at summit levels. Storm force Westerly winds eased and became light to moderate West-North-Westerlies. The freezing level fell to summit levels by midday. ObservedSnowStability: The remaining snow continues to thaw and diminish with generally good stability in all locations. The patchy snow cover is mainly on North-East through East to South aspects above 1000 metres. Elsewhere the ground is mostly bare. The avalanche hazard is Low.