Lochaber

LO for 13.3 Wet snow instability and cornice collapse overnight. All aspects above 900m. Stabilising later. Av Hazard Considerable.

LO for 13.3 Wet snow instability and cornice collapse overnight. All aspects above 900m. Stabilising later. Av Hazard Considerable.

Forecast Snow Stability: Wet snow instabilities will quickly develop overnight as rain saturates the snowpack. Steep terrain on all aspects will be affected above 900 metres and crag aprons at lower elevations may be threatened by avalanche run-out. During the day isolated accumulations of windslab will develop on North to East aspects above 950 metres. In other locations stability will improve as the snowpack becomes firm above 900 metres. Cornices will be prone to collapse. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Precipitation is expected as rain at all levels, before transitioning to light snow above 800 metres. Winds will initially be very strong from the South-East, before veering to the South-West and becoming storm force. The freezing level will be above the summits overnight falling gradually to around 900 metres by midday. Observed Weather Influences: Light snow fell at summit level overnight before transitioning to light rain at all levels. Winds were predominately from a South-Easterly direction with strong gusts at midday. The freezing level was above the summits. ObservedSnowStability: The snowpack is well bonded and stable in most locations. At lower elevations the snow is consolidated but soft, while above 900 metres an icy crust was present due to a period of freezing rain. Isolated areas of windslab are present in steep gully tops and scarp slopes of a West through North to North-East aspect above 1100 metres. These deposits are shallow and avoidable in many cases. Remaining cornices are weak. The avalanche hazard is Low.