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Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.

Don't forget Countryfile this weekend :)

 

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Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.

 

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Posted
  • Location: Alston, Cumbria
  • Weather Preferences: Proper Seasons,lots of frost and snow October to April, hot summers!
  • Location: Alston, Cumbria

There are a couple of locations in the Scottish Highlands that usually (though not always) hang on to snow-patches right through the summer and early autumn until the commencement of the next winter snowfalls. One of these locations is the corrie high up on the east side of Brierach in the Cairngorms, the other being Observatory Gully on Ben Nevis. Last year, and in 2014 several patches of snow persisted right through the summer thanks largely to heavy winter snowfalls over the preceeding winter.

For this year, much depends on how the remainder of the summer pans out: I expect northern Scotland to be a little cooler and wetter overall as the prevailing winds shift to westerly and this wind direction would bring average daytime temperatures well below 10C to the highest mountain areas along with nighttime temperatures close to freezing point. However, a surge of warmer south-westerly winds (with the corresponding lower temperature lapse rate of tropical maritime air) often brings much warmer conditions to the mountain-tops. With heavy rain and strong winds in the mix, temperatures above 10C can be surprisingly destructive of summer snow-patches.

We cannot rule out this happening later in the summer, particularly with the warming North Atlantic and the arrival of the 2016 Hurricane Season which, together, can put deeper depressions in the North Atlantic and this may well bring surges of late-summer warmth and snow-destroying warm south-westerlies.

In other years high-pressure sets in over Europe to bring very warm southerly winds and sunshine even to the Scottish mountain tops at times from late July through September. The current hot spell seems to have passed northernmost Scotland by but Cairngorm Summit has occasionally reached 20C in the shade. Snow-patches tend not to persist long in such conditions, even if they are sheltered from the Sun. In 2003 and 2006 the exceptional heat of those summers and (in the case of 2006) record September warmth led to the complete disappearance of all snow-patches in the Scottish Mountains (and thus from anywhere in the UK).

My take is that one or two snow-patches will probably survive right through this summer until the first snows of next winter arrive, likely to occur during October. That is because I expect the prevailing winds will be westerly through late summer until September.  There is likely to be warm-sector air associated with some depressions coming from the Azores at times but I don't expect these to be either frequent or persistent enough to destroy all snow-patches.

Perhaps we should have a bet on it, my money is on at least one or two snow-patches surviving.

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Posted
  • Location: North York Moors
  • Location: North York Moors

There will be many more than one or two survive, but far less than last year which was record breaking by a large margin - though can't quote figures.

When further south feels so warm just now it is hard to imagine just how different the higher levels are - even places you can access by car.
Under clear skies ground temperatures near snow patches soon fall to freezing and in the shade there will often be only a few hours of significant melt even  now.
The big enemy is relatively warm rain in late summer and early autumn rather than high air temperatures on odd days now.

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I agree with some of what the last two posters have written. Warm conditions in the latter half of the year do play a large part in determining how many patches of snow will persist, but this is not the only - or main - reason. In that regard I disagree with iapennel that 2003 and 2006's summers 'led to' the disappearance of all snow.

The biggest factor, in my view, is how much snow falls in winter. For example, 2014's summer was warm and long, with frequent long spells of sunny weather. And, yet, 2014 saw an unusual amount of patches surviving (twenty one). This was because the volume of snow that fell during the previous winter was huge. It stands to reason that the more snow you have, the longer it takes to melt. In the years 2003 and 2006, which iapennel rightly states as having unusually mild summers, far less snow fell in winter than in a normal year. This led to the heat of summer depleting the snow very quickly.

I am not a meteorologist, so cannot comment on what is likely to happen with the weather. However, as it stands at present I can say with some certainty that 2016 is not going to be a vintage year for snow patches! As for the amount of patches that will persist, that - again - is very hard to call. It's much too early to say. I'd be very surprised if at least a few didn't make it, but with the Scottish climate anything can (and does) happen.

Edited by firefly
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Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14642404.Snow_researcher_captures_incredible_photographs_of_Ben_Nevis_snow_tunnels/?ref=twtrec

These fantastic images show snow tunnels that have formed on the north face of Scotland's highest mountain. 

Amateur snow researcher Iain Cameron, 43, climbed the mountain to document the summertime snow levels. 

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Posted
  • Location: Sheffield South Yorkshire 160M Powering the Sheffield Shield
  • Weather Preferences: Any Extreme
  • Location: Sheffield South Yorkshire 160M Powering the Sheffield Shield
On 29/07/2016 at 09:50, firefly said:

I was on the One Show last night talking about long-lying snow on the Cairngorms. You can find it here (if you're interested): http://bbc.in/2aOzBjV

 

Good one like how you guessed the length of the snow patch. Not bad.

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Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.

A nice piece from Firefly on Countryfile from the other week.

 

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Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.

 

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Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
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Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
'Some shots from a blustery misty Ben Nevis today.'

 

Edited by Polar Maritime
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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.

Credit: Firefly (Iain Cameron)

The final tally of snow patches that were observed across the Highlands of Scotland on the weekend of 20/21 August has been counted. In total, 82 (eighty two) patches were observed, located at the following places:

NEVIS RANGE
Ben Nevis - 23
Aonach Mor - 10
Aonach Beag - 8

CAIRNGORMS
(Ben Macdui/Cairn Gorm plateau)
Coire an Lochain - 1
Snowy corrie and Garbh Uisge Beag & Mor - 10
Feith Buidhe slabs - 4
Coire Domhain - 2
Ciste Mhearad - 2

Beinn a’ Bhuird - 1
Braeriach - 9 (two at Coire an Lochain)

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS (including Creag Meagaidh)
Geal-Charn (Ben Alder) - 2
Creag Meagaidh - 6
Carn Liath (Creag Meagaidh) - 1

NW HIGHLANDS
Beinn Dearg (Ullapool) - 1
An Riabhachan - 2

TOTAL - 82

The total for the previous counts (since 2008) were:

2008 - 77
2009 - 35
2010 - 34
2011 - 36
2012 - 72
2013 - 81
2014 - 281
2015 - 678
2016 - 82

 

Edited by Polar Maritime
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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
Quote

A fine trip up Observatory Gully today for a possible Guardian feature. I was accompanied by photographer extraordinaire Murdo MacLeod, who was suitably impressed by the cathedral-like structure of ice.

On a more prosaic note, the snow is being mullered by the heat! It needs to cool down, and quickly!

 

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Posted
  • Location: Alston, Cumbria
  • Weather Preferences: Proper Seasons,lots of frost and snow October to April, hot summers!
  • Location: Alston, Cumbria

The longer term outlook doesn't look good for the surviving snow-patches in the Cairngorms and Scottish Highlands with the Azores High set to extend north-eastwards over England at times over the next few weeks. Warm south-westerlies coming round this high-pressure will affect the Scottish mountains and sometimes this will be associated with the warm-sectors of depressions that look set to be travelling north-eastwards well north of their normal seasonal latitudes. Warm rain in these warm sectors will occur at times. None of this is conducive to the survival of these Scottish mountain snow-beds until the first snows of the next season come and rescue them.

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Posted
  • Location: Darlington
  • Weather Preferences: Warm dry summers
  • Location: Darlington

Mountain Weather Information Service set to close as funding is withdrawn

Quote

Mountain safety at risk as key Government funding is withdrawn from crucial mountain weather information service.

 The most-used mountain weather service in the UK, the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS), is set to close after SportScotland, the Scottish Government sporting body, withdraws funding and walks away from a key mountain forecast collaboration project.

The safety of climbers and walkers in the mountains will be put at risk if funding is not continued and the Mountain Weather Information Service will cease producing forecasts as of the 31st December 2016.

Geoff Monk, lead forecaster at MWIS said:

"The funding withdrawal by SportScotland, following their previous decision to collaborate with MWIS (together with the Met Office), was a real shock and jeopardises the safety of those who use the mountains every day. All we want is for MWIS to continue to provide a consistent, quality service so that mountain users can enjoy the mountains safely, fully aware of what the weather will throw at them.

"MWIS has a stable, long-term future and the service will continue to be enhanced provided funding continues. We are asking SportScotland to come back to the negotiating table and commit to the continued funding of MWIS so its long-term future is secured."

 
 
 

http://www.mwis.org.uk/

Edited by Summer Sun
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Posted
  • Location: Tullynessle/Westhill
  • Weather Preferences: Cold and snowy or warm and dry
  • Location: Tullynessle/Westhill
14 hours ago, Summer Sun said:

Mountain Weather Information Service set to close as funding is withdrawn

http://www.mwis.org.uk/

Very concerning. It was the main site I'd check if heading for the hills walking or skiing. Thier forecast was always popular and frequently found printed out and posted up at campsites etc. I wouldn't have thought it would be terribly expensive to produce either. Hopefully something gets sorted out. 

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Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.

This non-profit weather service MWIS by Geoff Monk has been running for many years helping predict localised Mountain weather, And to predict the best days to get out into the hills.

Please sign the petition to help reinstate this valuable long running service....

Thanks.

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/reinstate-vital-funding-to-the-mountain-weather-information-service-mwis?bucket&source=facebook-share-button&time=1473583386

Edited by Polar Maritime
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Posted
  • Location: Dundee
  • Weather Preferences: Snow, thunderstorms, gales. All extremes except humidity.
  • Location: Dundee
1 hour ago, Polar Maritime said:

This non-profit weather service MWIS by Geoff Monk has been running for many years helping predict localised Mountain weather, And to predict the best days to get out into the hills.

Please sign the petition to help reinstate this valuable long running service....

Thanks.

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/reinstate-vital-funding-to-the-mountain-weather-information-service-mwis?bucket&source=facebook-share-button&time=1473583386

Signed. First and last place I looked before heading to the hills.

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Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.

FB_IMG_1473706358559.jpg

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Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.

At last http://www.mwis.org.uk/  ☺

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Posted
  • Location: Alston, Cumbria
  • Weather Preferences: Proper Seasons,lots of frost and snow October to April, hot summers!
  • Location: Alston, Cumbria
On 9/12/2016 at 20:14, Polar Maritime said:

FB_IMG_1473706358559.jpg

Thank the Lord for that! They can't just withdraw funding for such a vital service. By the way, I have in the past read MWIS out of interest to guage what the weather is doing and what it is expected to do on the highest fells of Scotland and northern England.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.

For anyone interested.

FB_IMG_1474707994425.jpg

Edited by Polar Maritime
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  • 4 weeks later...
Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.

First Snowfall on Ben Nevis today.

http://www.abacusmountainguides.com/blog

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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.
  • Location: Derbyshire Peak District South Pennines Middleton & Smerrill Tops 305m (1001ft) asl.

Winter arrives to the highest summits this week ☺

 

FB_IMG_1477902610535.jpg

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