Northern Cairngorms

NC for 3.1. Fresh unstable windslab NW-N-NE aspects above 900m. Avalanches are likely. Avalanche Hazard Considerable.

NC for 3.1. Fresh unstable windslab NW-N-NE aspects above 900m. Avalanches are likely. Avalanche Hazard Considerable.

Forecast Snow Stability: Overnight and during Tuesday unstable windslab will develop on North-West to North-East aspects above 900m. Steep wind sheltered locations such as coire rims, gully tops and crag aprons will be affected. Ridge flanks will be subject to cross loading. Instability will increase during the forecast period and avalanches are likely. Below 900m isolated deposits of unstable windslab will be present on steep banks and convexities. Cornices will be fragile. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: After a dry and cold night precipitation is expected from dawn. Initially this will fall as snow to glen level, but will turn to rain at all levels by mid afternoon. Winds will be strong from the South before backing to become gale force South-South-Easterly later. The freezing level will rise above the summits by midday. Observed Weather Influences: A cold and dry day with summit temperatures of -5.5 degrees Celsius at 9am. Winds were from the West backing to become West-South-West later and fresh at higher elevations. The freezing level was at around 600 metres at midday. ObservedSnowStability: Drifting snow continued to deposit fresh unstable windslab on North to East aspects above 900 metres, with steep wind sheltered locations being most affected. A fresh blanket of soft snow remains in sheltered locations and lies on bare ground on West aspects, while overlying windslab on North-West through North to North-East aspects above 900 metres. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.