Southern Cairngorms

SC for 24/01 Unstable windslab on N through E to SE aspects above 1050m. Moderate below this altitude. Avalanche hazard Considerable

SC for 24/01 Unstable windslab on N through E to SE aspects above 1050m. Moderate below this altitude. Avalanche hazard Considerable

Forecast Snow Stability: There will be a period of increased instability during the evening as the freezing level rises above the summits. Newly formed cornices will be prone to collapse. Fresh windslab will then start to form in wind sheltered locations on North through East to South-East aspects above 1050 metres with gully tops, corrie rims and other sharply defined features worst affected. Below this altitude in steeper locations, moderately bonded deposits will be present. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Overnight precipitation, falling as snow above 1050 metres only. Sleet and then wet snow at 930 metres. Gale to severe gale force South-Westerly veering Westerly winds overnight. Near gale force West-North-Westerly winds during the day. 1400 metre freezing level lowering to 1050 metres overnight, then 950 metres by the end of the period. Observed Weather Influences: Heavy snow above 600 metres on gale force Southerly winds. Gradually rising freezing level, reaching zero degrees centigrade at 930 metres by mid-afternoon. ObservedSnowStability: Redistribution of existing deposits combined with new snowfall were rapidly forming unstable windslab in wind sheltered locations on North-West through North to East aspects above 800 metres. Moderately bonded accumulations present below this altitude. Worst affected locations were gully tops, corrie rims and other sharply defined, wind sheltered features. The avalanche hazard is Considerable.