Northern Cairngorms

NC for 16.1:Unstable windslab, most widespread NE,E to S asp. Localised on SW, W to N aspects. Unstable cornices. Considerable Haz

NC for 16.1:Unstable windslab, most widespread NE,E to S asp. Localised on SW, W to N aspects. Unstable cornices. Considerable Haz

Forecast Snow Stability: Accumulations of unstable windslab will continue to develop on North-East to South-East aspects. Snowpack weaknesses will persist on South through West to North aspects. Areas most affected will be above 950m in steep, convex areas, such as gully exits, corrie rims and crag aprons. Unstable cornices will overhang these areas. On the same aspects below 950m, localised instabilities will affect steep banks and shallow gullies. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: Occasional light snowfall at all levels on strong West to West-North-Westerly winds. Very cold, freezing at all levels overnight, rising to 200 metres during the early morning onwards. Observed Weather Influences: Heavy snowfall gave way to a few scattered snow showers throughout the day. Winds were moderate to strong West-North-Westerly. The freezing level was around 700 metres. ObservedSnowStability: Accumulations of unstable windslab have become more widespread on NE through E to S aspects above 950m. Older snowpack instabilities and cross loading are evident on SW through W to N aspects. The greatest instability is within steep and convex terrain such as corrie rims, gully exits and crag aprons. Fragile cornices overhang these aspects. Below 950m, instabilities are generally localised, with shallow gullies and steep banks most affected. The avalanche hazard is Considerable.