Northern Cairngorms

NC for 21.1.23. Instabilities persist on mostly N,NE,E,SE aspects abv 900m esp as temps rise. Haz Considerable

NC for 21.1.23. Instabilities persist on mostly N,NE,E,SE aspects abv 900m esp as temps rise. Haz Considerable

Forecast Snow Stability: Weaknesses will persist in the deeper windslab accumulations on N through E to S-E aspects above 900m. Steep wind sheltered places such as convex terrain, gully tops and ridge flanks especially affected, Snowpack instabilities will heighten as temperatures rise. Cornices overhanging these aspects will be fragile and prone to collapse. Elsewhere stability will be mostly good but locally poor in steep banks and gullies at lower elevations. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable

Forecast Weather Influences: Freezing level in the glens overnight thursday will steadily rise during the day to summit levels by the and of the day. Mostly dry throughout the forecast period except for some light rain or snow in the morning. Winds strong Southerly overnight becoming gale force in the day. Observed Weather Influences: A clear and bright day with light variable winds on the tops. Remaining cold especially in the shade with summit temperatures around -3 degrees Centigrade. ObservedSnowStability: Weak layers, overlain by windslab, persist at depth in many places but especially in wind sheltered steep locations such as convex shaped terrain, ridge flanks, coire backwalls and gully tops. Found mostly above 900m on Northerly through East to South-Easterly aspects. Other aspects are firm and wind scoured. Below this level on same aspects, some snowpack stabilisation has taken place with only localised instabilities present in steep banks and gullies. The avalanche hazard is Considerable