Northern Cairngorms

NC for 27.3: Unstable windslab E, S to SW aspects abv. 900m. Surface instabilities on sun exposed slopes. Unstable cornices. Mod Haz

NC for 27.3: Unstable windslab E, S to SW aspects abv. 900m. Surface instabilities on sun exposed slopes. Unstable cornices. Mod Haz

Forecast Snow Stability: Unstable windslab on East through South to South-Westerly aspects above 900m. The greatest instability will be where deeper accumulations have developed in areas such as, steep convex terrain, coire rims, gully exits and crag aprons. As the day progresses surface instabilities will develop on sun exposed slopes. Cornices will be unstable. During the afternoon light drifting, with isolated windslab developing on North to East aspects above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate.

Forecast Weather Influences: Light snowfall is expected to die out during the early hours, dry and sunny through the day. Fresh to strong North-Westerly winds will ease and back to become moderate South-Westerlies through the afternoon. From dawn onwards the 300 metre freezing level will steadily rise to 800 metres by the afternoon. Observed Weather Influences: Snow showers throughout the day on moderate to strong Northerly winds. The midday freezing level was around 600 metres. ObservedSnowStability: There is a covering of new snow on all aspects. This overlies a widespread friable crust. Localised unstable windslab has developed on South-East to South-West aspects above 900 metres. The greatest instability is where accumulations have gained depth in steep, convex terrain, coire rims, gully tops and crag aprons. Fragile cornices also on these aspects. Isolated areas of windslab have developed on other aspects due to cross loading. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.