Southern Cairngorms - Issued 12/03/2010
Avalanche Hazard Forecast
FOR PERIOD 18:00HRS Fri 12/03/2010 TO 18:00HRS Sat 13/03/2010
| Hazard Level | Avalanche Probability |
| Low | Natural Avalanches very unlikely. Human triggered avalanches not likely. |
| Moderate | Natural Avalanches unlikely. Human triggered avalanches possible. |
| Considerable | Natural Avalanches possible. Human triggered avalanches are likely. |
| High | Natural and Human triggered avalanches will occur. |
| Very High | Widespread Natural and Human triggered avalanches will occur. |
| VIEW EUROPEAN AVALANCHE HAZARD SCALE FOR FURTHER DETAILS | |
Localized Avalanche Hazard
Forecasted Weather Influences
Winds will strengthen up to 35mph from the North-west. There is no precipitation forecast except possibly for very occasional snow showers above 700 metre.
Forecasted Snow Stability and Avalanche Hazard
There will be patchy distribution of new slab on Southerly aspects. This new snow windslab is quite well bonded to the old surface, except where it has formed weak cornices on Southerly aspects above 850 metres. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate.
Observed Avalanche Hazard - Fri 12/03/2010
Observed Weather Influences
Fresh North-north-west winds and some snow showers above about 650 metres were the main features of the day. Temperatures were in the -2 degree range at 900 metres.
Observed Snow Stability and Avalanche Hazard
The snow showers have resulted in some patchy distribution of new wind slab on Southerly aspects above 650 metres. Given the temperature regime and nature of the old snow surface, this wind slab (up to 7 centimetres thick where sampled) has bonded reasonably well. The deeper snowpack is strong. Weak characteristics persist but are neither adequately loaded nor warm enough to pose a concern. The avalanche hazard is Moderate.
Mountain Conditions
| Snow Distribution | Off piste, moist to mush zone below 600 metres, firm snow surface above 700 metres-transition in between. Note: piste skiing starts at 600 and above. |
| Icing | Increasing quantity and improving quality reported. |
| Comment | Cold feeling with the wind chill. More extensive tough crust on windward aspects. |
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