Northern Cairngorms

NC 31/12: Avalanches likely, N to E asp. above 900m, stabilising during the day. Cross loading. Fragile cornices. Considerable Haz.

NC 31/12: Avalanches likely, N to E asp. above 900m, stabilising during the day. Cross loading. Fragile cornices. Considerable Haz.

Forecast Snow Stability: After an overnight period of instability the snowpack will slowly start to consolidate during daylight hours. Unstable windslab will mainly be found on North to East aspects above 900 metres. Areas most affected will be gully tops, coire rims and ridge flanks where avalanches are likely. North-West and South-East aspects will be affected due to cross loading. Cornices will remain fragile. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Overnight, gale force West-South-Westerly winds will ease in strength and back, becoming South-Westerly before easing at daybreak to light and variable. A mainly dry day, with a few snow showers, as the freezing level lowers to 500 metres. Observed Weather Influences: It has been a dry day with significant drifting of snow above 800 metres. The freezing level was around 1000 metres with a very strong wind from the South-South-West. ObservedSnowStability: Accumulations of unstable windslab have developed on North-West through North to East aspects above 850 metres. Areas most affected are coire rims, gully tops, ridge flanks and other wind sheltered locations. On these aspects below 850 metres the snowpack has consolidated and stability is good. Elsewhere the old snowpack remains firm. The avalanche hazard is Considerable.