Northern Cairngorms

NC for 22.3: Unstable windslab developing on wind sheltered N through E to SE aspects above 900m. Fragile cornices! Moderate Hazard.

NC for 22.3: Unstable windslab developing on wind sheltered N through E to SE aspects above 900m. Fragile cornices! Moderate Hazard.

Forecast Snow Stability: Unstable windslab will develop on North through East to South-East aspects above 900 metres. As accumulations gain depth the greatest instability will be within wind sheltered steep locations such as, coire rims, gully tops, scarp slopes and crag aprons. On these aspects fragile cornices will develop. Elsewhere the old snowpack will be firm and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate.

Forecast Weather Influences: Snowfall is expected from the middle of the night onwards on gale to storm force West-South-West, later Westerly winds. The 1000 metre freezing level will steadily fall through the night to around 600 metres by the morning. Observed Weather Influences: Occasional showers of rain on storm force South-Westerly winds. The freezing level rose to above the summits during the morning. ObservedSnowStability: The stable snowpack is thawing at all altitudes and is most widespread around coire back walls on North-West through North to East aspects above 900 metres. Unstable cornices overhang these areas. The avalanche hazard is Low.