Northern Cairngorms

NC for 5.2. Windslab overnight on NE,E,SE aspts above 1000m. Wet snow followed by rain at all levels. Cornices! Avalanche Hazard Low

NC for 5.2. Windslab overnight on NE,E,SE aspts above 1000m. Wet snow followed by rain at all levels. Cornices! Avalanche Hazard Low

Forecast Snow Stability: Fresh unstable windslab will be deposited overnight on North-East to South-East aspects above 1000 metres. Deposits will be isolated to steep wind sheltered locations such as coire rims and gullies, only presenting instability where they achieve depth. A covering of wet snow is likely above 1200 metres before rain reaches all elevations. Remaining cornices will be prone to collapse. Outwith these locations the snowpack will be stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low.

Forecast Weather Influences: Rain is expected at most elevations, with any wet snow confined to the highest summits above 1200 metres during the day. Winds will be from the West-South-West and gale force during daylight hours. The freezing level will rise from 1000 metres in the evening staying above the summits for the duration of the day. Observed Weather Influences: Precipitation was characterised by snow showers above 900 metres. Winds were generally gale force Westerlies for the duration of the day. At midday the freezing level was around 1000 metres. ObservedSnowStability: The snowpack is generally firm and stable in most locations. The greatest snow cover is on coire headwalls, gullies and ridge flanks, of a North to East aspect above 950 metres. Small accumulations of fresh snow have been deposited on North-East to South-East above 900 metres. These are isolated to steep wind sheltered locations and are insignificant. At lower elevations the cover is patchy and slowly depleting in the mild temperatures. The avalanche hazard is Low.