Scottish Ski Fri 14th March

After last weekend’s problematic winds, there has been glorious weather across Scotland. High pressure has brought sunshine, clear skies and light winds for the first half of the week. It has been cold at night so often first thing, runs are icy, with some softening of the snow by day. Recently, there has been more cloud about with a bit more breeze. With some thaw, do pay attention to avalanche warnings, note areas at risk.

WEST
Nevis Range   Fort William Ben Nevis 1343 Aonach Mor 1219m
It has been stunning this week, some great skiing/boarding for those able to visit on a weekday. Reports of a slight thaw near the top. Snowpack generally a firm base with wet spring snow. Worth keeping to groomed areas.

Glencoe nr. Tyndrum
More superb conditions here earlier in the week. Sunshine, blue skies, light winds. All slopes still have an excellent cover of snow, firm and fast on lower slopes but not icy, soft on the groomed. Upper slopes are also firm and fast but not icy. Some action this weekend as the Freeride competition qualifiers take place in the Coe Cup http://www.freerideworldtour.com/the-coe-cup_SCO.html

EAST
Cairngorm –Aviemore  Cairn Gorm 1245m
Several cracking days on the slopes earlier this week. Clear blue skies and sunshine and thankfully light winds. All runs were once groomed, set up well, but have softened pretty quickly in the sun.

Glenshee nr. Braemar
Again some amazing weather conditions with clear skies, sunshine and hardly any wind. No shortage of snow anywhere, good skiing over the entire area with spring snow, softening at lower levels. The Scottish masters Championships will be held on 15th and 16th March., masters being over 30 years old. GS Saturday and Slalom Sunday , both Entry on Hill

 The Lecht nr. Tomintoul
Unfortunately being Scotland’s lowest ski resort, there is a lack of snow. And as the other resorts in the east still have plenty of snow, the Lecht did have to close this week. There could be limited skiing this weekend but do check on the website, FB or twitter account first @lecht2090

FORECAST - not great news
Weather outlook:  Damp, not great visibility and often windy

Friday –  Damp cloudy start with heavier rain continuing in the West, whilst eastern areas become drier in the afternoon. Windy, strong West winds
Friday night, the showers will turn sleety for the NW Highlands, maybe into the western Grampians

Saturday - wet and cloudy, and blustery. Fresh West winds, occasionally strong in the West. Some brighter spells for the eastern Grampians in some shelter but winds picking up here to end the day
Sunday – wet in the west , sunny but windy, especially in the east.

Next week
Winds ease later Monday
Wednesday night into Thursday is the only time there is a signal for any more proper snow.


Also been some super sunshine across the Alps AVHRR from Dundee Sat Receiving station




FRi 7th March

Oh BOO to the winds again on Friday! 
Current conditions:


WEST
Nevis Range   Fort William Ben Nevis 1343 Aonach Mor 1219m
Closed on Friday 4^th due to winds and there have been problems with strong winds all week Shame after last weekend and some glorious skiing/boarding with fresh snow and sunshine. Check out @TheNevisRange for all the photos.

Glencoe nr. Tyndrum
Also closed today (Fri 7th). Winds have caused problems this week after an amazing weekend with sunshine and fresh snow. @GlencoeMountain. It has snowed overnight.

EAST
Cairngorm –Aviemore  Cairn Gorm 1245m
The Ski Area surface lifts will be closed for ‘Fri 4th’ due to continuing strong winds. They were testing the train this morning. Still there is loads of snow and last weekend was awesome, check @CairngormMtn  Image from Cairngorm Mountain Ltd Facebook page

Glenshee nr. Braemar
Open on Friday 4^th. Winds could affect highest lifts but currently 16 out of 22 lifts are open and it’s snowing. Super skiing last weekend in sunshine with fresh snow, see http://www.ski-glenshee.co.uk/
 
The Lecht nr. Tomintoul
The lowest in altitude of the Scottish Ski resorts and could do with some fresh snow. There is still good cover, just thin or narrow in places. Had some great skiing last weekend. A few lifts open and a couple more expected to open. http://www.lecht.co.uk/

FORECAST
Saturday - Too windy
Sunday - Maybe later
Next week - super, high pressure, light winds

Scotland is now into the cold air (on Friday) and showers are turning to snow. Lines of heavier, squally showers are being blown in on strong Westerly winds. Western resorts will see more snow than the eastern ones today. The winds ease this evening, temperatures fall to just below freezing, so there will be frost and ice. 
Saturday the winds freshen quickly in the east, strong to start the day in the west, from a Southerly direction and only increase. This is the mild day, it could start some melting to the north of the mountain ranges, up to 12C. There will be morning rain for the NW Highlands, showers for central areas in the afternoon and the gales continue all day.
Sunday - a milder start with cloud and patchy rain. Still blustery/windy from the SW. Check with the resorts on the day.
Next week- more settled, light winds, although it will be milder often into double figures so there could be some melting lower down. Generally looking good and there is plenty of lying snow around still.