Northern Cairngorms

NC 25/1/23. Overnight rain turning to snow above 800m. Localised windslab on NE to SE aspects above 1000m. Gale W winds. Haz Low.

NC 25/1/23. Overnight rain turning to snow above 800m. Localised windslab on NE to SE aspects above 1000m. Gale W winds. Haz Low.

Forecast Snow Stability: Overnight the existing snowpack will remain moist and generally stable. As the freezing level drops the snowpack will begin to refreeze. During the day, shallow accumulations of localised windslab may form in steep wind sheltered locations on mainly North-East to South-East aspects above 1000 metres. These should be mostly avoidable. Aspects exposed to the wind will remain stable. The avalanche hazard will be Low.

Forecast Weather Influences: A period of heavier precipitation falling as rain at all levels during the early hours will ease through the morning. Initially falling as rain it will become increasingly wintery with snow down to 800 metres as the freezing level drops around dawn. Gale force South-Westerly winds will veer North-Westerly during the day only decreasing slightly for a time during the morning. Observed Weather Influences: A dry and bright day with increasing Fresh to Strong South-Westerly winds . The freezing level remained above the summits. ObservedSnowStability: The existing snowpack is soft and moist and generally stable at all elevations. Greatest accumulations are on North to East aspects above 1000 metres. Below this the snow cover continues to diminish. Some cornices with glide cracks remain. The avalanche hazard is Low.