Snow on the Scottish mountains - 2014

[Polar Maritime]

Hazards common in arctic and alpine areas but described as "extremely unusual" in the UK during the summer have been found on Ben Nevis.

A team of climbers and scientists investigating the mountain's North Face said snowfields remained in many gullies and upper scree slopes.

On these fields, they have come across compacted, dense, ice hard snow call neve.

Neve is the first stage in the formation of glaciers, the team said.

 

The team has also encountered sheets of snow weighing hundreds of tonnes and tunnels and fissures known as bergschrunds.

The large, deep cracks in the ice are found at the top of glaciers.

The team of mountaineers, geologists and botanists is recording wildlife and rock forms on the North Face.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Midland Valley Exploration and the Nevis Partnership, an organisation based at Torlundy, near Fort William, are involved in the three-year project.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-28885119

[Polar Maritime]

Some wonderful pictures and videos here, Thanks/Credit for all the hard work Ian and team (Firefly)

 

Snow survey (Nevis) - 22.08.2014 iainjamescameron

https://www.flickr.com/photos/28183399@N03/sets/72157646688296686/

Edited August 23, 2014 by Polar Maritime

[ANYWEATHER]

Some wonderful pictures and videos here, Thanks/Credit for all the hard work Ian and team (Firefly)

 

Snow survey (Nevis) - 22.08.2014 iainjamescameron

https://www.flickr.com/photos/28183399@N03/sets/72157646688296686/

Amazing stuff!

[Norrance]

A skiff on Cairngorm earlier today. From Winterhighland.

http://www.winterhighland.info/forum/file.php?2,file=10033

[4wd]

There's a hint of white on the ptarmigan cam

[Polar Maritime]

[Polar Maritime]

Plenty of snow pics for you from Ben Nevis today @theiaincameron http://

Edited October 8, 2014 by Polar Maritime

[Polar Maritime]

A nice cover on the Back Corries early'r 

 

[Terminal Moraine]

Is that a surviving snow patch in the centre of the picture, below the ridge, P.M?

[Zerouali lives]

Yes I believe there are actually 3 patches remaining on Aonach Mor and the one you see clearly in the pic is massive by all accounts and is expected to survive.

[stewfox]

When will we get a final count re snow patch survival ? Early November ?

[Norrance]

When will we get a final count re snow patch survival ? Early November ?

The lasting snow is often here by now but it has been as late as December I think. It does not look likely to come in the near future so no guarantee of a final count soon.

The continuing mild and wet weather is severely damaging the more vulnerable patches and it looks like those away from the high Cairngorms and Nevis area such as Carn Na Caim, Creag Meagaidh and Gheal Charn will go unless there is a change. A shame having made it through the warm Spring and generally warm Summer to go when we could reasonably expect the lasting snow to come.

[damianslaw]

The lasting snow is often here by now but it has been as late as December I think. It does not look likely to come in the near future so no guarantee of a final count soon.

The continuing mild and wet weather is severely damaging the more vulnerable patches and it looks like those away from the high Cairngorms and Nevis area such as Carn Na Caim, Creag Meagaidh and Gheal Charn will go unless there is a change. A shame having made it through the warm Spring and generally warm Summer to go when we could reasonably expect the lasting snow to come.

 

 

If they can survive the next few days, I think they will be fine thereafter - next week will be cooler with a wintry mix of precipitation on the highest ground.

[Norrance]

If they can survive the next few days, I think they will be fine thereafter - next week will be cooler with a wintry mix of precipitation on the highest ground.

Looks like I was wrong, at least about Creag Meagaidh. Firefly has visited this one and found that it looks like a certain survivor. Report on Winterhighland. Carn Na Caim though is in trouble.

Cooler [but not particularly cold] weather next week should help.

Edited October 29, 2014 by Norrance

[Polar Maritime]

Summit of @CairngormMtn as the sun sets today. #Cairngorms @Cairngorms

 

 

Edited November 9, 2014 by Polar Maritime

[damianslaw]

There was snow cover from around 700 metres in Lochnagar region on Bonfire Night, with a good powdery cover above 1000 metres, alas milder conditions on Thursday quickly put pay to the thick cover. Always good to see the first proper snows of the season.

 

Here in the Lake District there has only been a dusting of snow on the highest ground on one or two occasions recently. Next week just rain .. we would normally expect to see a decent cover down to modest levels by the end of November even in a mild month.. always look forward to seeing such an event.. plenty of time yet.

[Rich_Clements]

Found this on my 'tinterweb' travels thought it might interest someone http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/news/snow-that-survived-summer/0011889/

 

 

[Benvironment]

Found this on my 'tinterweb' travels thought it might interest someone http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/news/snow-that-survived-summer/0011889/

 

Cheers for sharing.  It was a great trip.....although it ended in a very cold fashion having crossed the swollen outflow in Coire Ardair ;-)

 

Edited November 11, 2014 by Benvironment

[Rich_Clements]

ahh ok, I should have known it was someone on here really :-)

[Polar Maritime]

Was a good read that Ben, Cant wait to get up there myself over Winter.

[Benvironment]

Was a good read that Ben, Cant wait to get up there myself over Winter.

 

Cheers   Let's hope there's some snow on the hills when you get here!  So far it's been a bit thin on the ground.  I *just* managed to get my first snowy walk of the season last week on Bidean nam Bian, but the snow was only really above about 1000m.

 

 

Funnily enough, my first snowy walk of 2013 was that same week last year......but there was considerably more snow than the same time this year.

[Polar Maritime]

A nice covering up there this morning, And looking at the Models this morning there's a good chance of some decent snowfall over the next few weeks from the N/W, This will hopefully put a good base down for the the upcoming ski/climbing season.

 

Edited November 23, 2014 by Polar Maritime

[Summer Sun]

Snow snow at the base (1200ft) of Glencoe now

 

 

A better covering at 2200ft

 

 

And at 3600ft well erm its impossible to see! (EDIT) Slightly more visible now as of 14:16 looks like a decent covering

 

Edited December 7, 2014 by Summer Sun

[Gavin Hannah]

Resorts are going to be opening up a bit later this year than they have for the last 4/5 years.  Probably due to the fact that the UK as a whole has had a very warm and dry spring summer and autumn.

 

Glencoe 5 day forecast.

 

Sunday 7th December

FL: 1000ft.  Heavy Snow

914m: -4°c West 45-65mph

Monday 8th December

FL: 4000ft.  Snow Showers

914m: -3°c NW 30 gust 50mph

Tuesday 9th December

FL: 3500ft.  Blizzard

914m: 1°c SW 70 gust 100mph

Wednesday 10th December

FL: 1500ft.  WhiteOut

914m: -3°c West 60-100mph

Thursday 11th December

FL: 500ft.  WhiteOut

914m: -5°c WNW 50 gust 80mph

Edited December 7, 2014 by IBringTheHammer

[Polar Maritime]

Glencoe with conditions at it's best today..

 

http://vimeo.com/117350159