Northern Cairngorms

Forecast Snow Stability: The majority of the snowpack will remain well bonded; however wet snow instabilities will increase, especially overnight on steep North-West to North-East aspects above 950 metres. On these aspects cornices will be prone to collapse. New accumulations of windslab will develop on wind sheltered North to East aspects above 1100 metres, but these will be isolated, shallow and avoidable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate.

Forecast Weather Influences: Rain, at all levels, this will be heavy at times, and turn to snow just below summit levels mainly during the day. Strong South-Westerly winds will steadily increase to gale force and back to become South-South-Westerly during the day. During the morning the freezing level will fall to around 1100 metres before rising again in the afternoon. Observed Weather Influences: Mostly dry with spells of rain and drizzle at all levels on strong South-Westerly winds. The freezing level was well above the summits, with a midday summit temperature of plus 2.6 degrees Celsius. ObservedSnowStability: The snowpack is soft and thawing at all altitudes. In general the majority of the snowpack is well bonded and stable; however wet snow avalanche and cornice collapse were observed on very steep terrain on a North-West and Northerly aspect above 1000 metres. The avalanche hazard is Low.