Northern Cairngorms

NC for 18.12. Signifiant snow drift. Avalanches likely W,NW and N aspects above 900m. Windslab also on NE and E. Hazard Considerable

NC for 18.12. Signifiant snow drift. Avalanches likely W,NW and N aspects above 900m. Windslab also on NE and E. Hazard Considerable

Forecast Snow Stability: Unstable windslab will persist on North, North-East and East aspects above 900 metres. Further deposits of unstable windslab will build on West, North-West and North aspects above 900 metres where avalanches are likely. Steep terrain such as; gully tops, crag aprons, ridge flanks and coire rims will be affected. Unstable windslab will also continue to build on steep wind sheltered banks below 900 metres. Cross loading will occur elsewhere. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable.

Forecast Weather Influences: A mainly dry day with moderate winds overnight, increasing to gale force early in the forecast period. Winds will be from the South backing South-South-East by dawn. The freezing level will be around 600 metres rising later, although the snow surface will remain cold above 500 metres. Observed Weather Influences: A cold dry day with strong South-Westerly winds. The freezing level rose from glen level to around 400 metres in the afternoon. ObservedSnowStability: The deep blanket of snow is being redistributed at all elevations. Fresh unstable windslab has been deposited on North-West through North-East to East aspects above 900 metres. Areas mostly affected are in steep wind sheltered terrain, such as gullies, crag aprons and ridge flanks. The avalanche hazard is Considerable.