Southern Cairngorms

SC for 10.2.24: Unstable windslab S aspects and avalanches likely SW to NW aspects above 700m. Av Haz Considerable.

SC for 10.2.24: Unstable windslab S aspects and avalanches likely SW to NW aspects above 700m. Av Haz Considerable.

Forecast Snow Stability: Overnight unstable windslab will continue to accumulate in sheltered locations, primarily on South through West to North-West aspects above 700 metres. As the freezing level rises further instabilities will develop in the snowpack and avalanches are likely, primarily on South-West to North-West aspects above 700 metres. Cornices will be fragile. Wind exposed aspects will remain firm and scoured. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Overnight, with the freezing level around 600 metres there will be heavy snow at all levels on gale force Easterly winds. By dawn precipitation will die out and later the freezing level will rise towards the summits. Winds will back to become North-Easterly and moderate in strength. Observed Weather Influences: A wild day. Continuous snow at all levels, heavy at times on gale force Easterly winds. Summit temperatures around -4C. ObservedSnowStability: Large accumulations of unstable windslab are rapidly accumulating in any wind sheltered locations. Primarily this is on South-West to North-West aspects above 700 metres where cornices are also rapidly developing. Very poor bonding observed between underlying old snow and the new storm snow on a Westerly aspect at 700 metres. Wind exposed slopes are scoured. As the day progressed accumulations below 600 metres stabilised as the temperatures rose. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.