Southern Cairngorms

Forecast Snow Stability: Wet snow instabilities overnight as rain and rising temperatures affect the snowpack. Windslab will rapidly form due to snowfall and persistent drifting during the day. Wind sheltered locations on West to North aspects above 900 metres will be most affected. Cross-loading will also affect South-West and North-East aspects. Accumulations will start to form below 900 metres as the freezing level lowers later in the day. Fragile cornices developing. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Precipitation throughout the period, falling as rain overnight with sleet or wet snow only on the very highest summits. By daylight, snow will be falling above 800 metres. Winds will be severe gale force South-Easterly overnight, backing East-South-Easterly by daylight. Observed Weather Influences: Overnight precipitation continued through the morning, easing during the early afternoon. This fell as wet snow above 700 metres, settling more consistently above 850 metres. Severe gale force East-South-Easterly winds overnight, eased to strong South-Easterly during the morning. Freezing level around 950 metres. ObservedSnowStability: Snowfall and drifting have formed unstable windslab accumulations in wind sheltered locations on mainly West to North aspects above 1000 metres, with cross-loading occurring on some South-West and North-East aspects. Corrie rims, gully tops and steep, scarp slopes mostly affected. Shallower accumulations have formed below this altitude. The avalanche hazard is Considerable.