Northern Cairngorms

NC for 1/2 Thaw conditions. Wet snow instabilities at first NE to SE above 900m. Consolidation later. Moderate hazard.

NC for 1/2 Thaw conditions. Wet snow instabilities at first NE to SE above 900m. Consolidation later. Moderate hazard.

Forecast Snow Stability: Thaw conditions throughout the day. In the early morning wet snow instabilities will develop in recent windslab accumulations. Areas most affected will be steep wind sheltered locations on North-East to South-East aspects above 900 metres. The snowpack will then gradually consolidate through the day. All remaining cornices will be prone to collapse. The older snowpack will remain well bonded and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate.

Forecast Weather Influences: Showers will be snow on the summits at the start of the night turning to rain at all levels by dawn, a drier morning will follow with further rain in the afternoon. The freezing level will rise above the summits during the night and remain well above the summits during the day. Winds will be West-South-Westerly, increasing in strength from strong overnight to reach storm force by the afternoon. Observed Weather Influences: It was a dry day with gale force West-North-Westerly winds. The freezing level was around 700 metres. ObservedSnowStability: The extensive older snowpack is well bonded, very firm and stable. Localised areas of unstable windslab are continuing to develop with steep North-East to South-East aspects above 900 metres most affected. These areas are generally not extensive and confined to wind sheltered locations such as crag aprons, gullies, coire rims and convex shaped terrain. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.