Northern Cairngorms

NC for 11/02/24 Unstable windslab on SW, W to NE aspects above 1000 meters. Consolidating below this elevation. Haz Moderate.

NC for 11/02/24 Unstable windslab on SW, W to NE aspects above 1000 meters. Consolidating below this elevation. Haz Moderate.

Forecast Snow Stability: New accumulations of windslab will develop on mainly North-West to North-East aspects above 1000m. The greatest instability will be around steep coire head walls, gully tops and crag aprons. Localised instabilities will persist on steep South-West to West aspects above 1000 meters. Better stability below this altitude. Elsewhere the old snowpack will be wind scoured, firm and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate.

Forecast Weather Influences: Light snow showers during the early hours of the morning. Light to moderate Southerly winds are expected overnight and through the morning. The winds will then increase to fresh and veer to become South-Westerly by the end of the day. The freezing level will briefly rise above the summits overnight before falling to 900 meters. Observed Weather Influences: Light snow showers died out to leave a mostly dry day. Very strong East-South-East winds decreased through the day. The freezing level rose to around 800 metres by midday. ObservedSnowStability: Unstable windslab is present on wind sheltered South-West to North-West aspects above 900 meters, especially where it overlays the older patchy snow. The greatest instability is in steep locations such as around coire head walls, gully tops and crag aprons. Below this elevation older windslab deposits were slowly beginning to consolidate. Elsewhere, the old snowpack is wind scoured, firm and stable. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.