Northern Cairngorms

Forecast Snow Stability: Poorly bonded windslab will develop especially during Saturday night with avalanches likely on steep wind sheltered North-West to North-East aspects above 900 metres. Cross loading will affect West and East facing slopes. On these aspects fragile cornices will build. Below 900 metres, localised unstable windslab will develop on the same aspects on steep banks and burn lines. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Gale force South then South-South-Easterly winds overnight with snowfall above 200 metres. During the day, South-South-Westerly winds will gradually ease strong to fresh with light snow showers above 600 metres. The 500 metre freezing level will rise to 800 metres at dawn where it will remain for the rest of the forecast period. Observed Weather Influences: A dry sunny day. Light to moderate Westerly winds backed towards the South through the afternoon. Summit temperatures were around minus 8 Celsius for the duration of the day. ObservedSnowStability: New accumulations of windslab have developed on East to South-East aspects mainly above 1100 metres. Moderately bonded snow was evident on Westerly to Northerly aspects above 950 metres. Areas most affected are in steep locations such as coire rims, gully tops, crag aprons and convexities. A widespread friable crust persists on many aspects above 1000 metres but in most areas this is bridged by dense consolidating windslab. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.