Northern Cairngorms

NC for 24.2. Snowpack generally stable and well consolidated. Onight, Isolated instabilities on NE,E,SE and S abv 950m. Low hazard.

NC for 24.2. Snowpack generally stable and well consolidated. Onight, Isolated instabilities on NE,E,SE and S abv 950m. Low hazard.

Forecast Snow Stability: Overnight, instabilities may persist in isolated and avoidable deposits on North-East through East to Southerly aspects above 950m with steep wind sheltered gully tops and coire rims most affected. During the day as temperatures fall the snowpack will refreeze becoming generally stable and well consolidated in all areas. The avalanche hazard will be Low.

Forecast Weather Influences: Mostly dry, with a few light snow showers during the forecast period. Gale force winds, Westerly initially, then steadily veering Northerly throughout the forecasting period. The freezing level will be around the summits for the first part of the night, dropping sharply in the early hours to around 900m, then decreasing steadily throughout the day to around 600m by the end of the afternoon. Observed Weather Influences: A mainly dry day with strong Westerly winds, increasing to gale force in the afternoon. The freezing level was around 500m initially, rising steadily to reach summit level by the end of the forecasting period. ObservedSnowStability: The snowpack is generally well consolidated and mostly stable. However, isolated pockets of moderately bonded windslab persist on North through East to Southerly aspects above 900m. Areas most affected are steep wind sheltered locations such as coire rims and gully tops. These accumulations are gradually consolidating. Where the old snow is exposed, in wind scoured areas, the snowpack is stable, firm and icy. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.