Southern Cairngorms

SC for 24.3. Windslab building N,NE,E,SE,S above 950m. Firm elsewhere. Fresh cornices developing. Avalanche Hazard Moderate.

SC for 24.3. Windslab building N,NE,E,SE,S above 950m. Firm elsewhere. Fresh cornices developing. Avalanche Hazard Moderate.

Forecast Snow Stability: Unstable windslab will continue to build, becoming more widespread as the day progresses on North through East to South aspects above 950 metres. The greatest instability will be found in deeper accumulations in steep wind sheltered locations such as convexities, coire rims and gully tops. The older snowpack will be firm and icy where exposed to the wind, with a thin dusting of new snow elsewhere above 700 metres. Cornices will continue to develop. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate.

Forecast Weather Influences: Snow is expected to fall above 600 metres overnight, followed by light snow above 700 metres during the day. Winds will be gale to storm force North-Westerly overnight, veering to become strong Northerlies. The freezing level will be 750 metres rising to 850 metres later. Observed Weather Influences: Frequent snow squalls continued throughout the day, generally above around 750 metres. Winds were strong to gale force and from the West, veering to the North-West later. The freezing level in the East of the Southern Cairngorms area was around 900 metres, potentially lower in the main Cairngorm massif. ObservedSnowStability: Moderately bonded windslab developed overnight and continued throughout the day on North through East to South-East aspects above 950 metres. The greatest depths are mostly in steep wind sheltered locations, such as convexities, coire rims and gully tops. Outwith these areas, the older snowpack is firm and refrozen while a dusting was present above 800 metres at midday. Fresh cornices developed as the day progressed. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.