More snow…
24th January 2026
This is the weather system that just keeps giving…. Precipitation throughout the past 24 hours with wet snow at 600 metres, drier above 800 metres. Persistent drifting of deposits above 800 metres with some large drifts in wind sheltered locations and lots of wind ridges to trip over in the poor visibility. It was full on winter conditions today – with goggles on when you were walking into the wind – as the snow just kept blowing. There are also some very icy slopes that have been scoured by the strong winds – crampons were essential for making any progress. Fragile cornices have formed and are easily failing under body weight.
More of the same for the next 24 hour period – with strong winds and snow forecast. If the visibility remains poor then careful route choice is required. Observers in both North and South Cairngorms remarked on how rapidly they had traversed from snow-ice to deep drifted snow in a matter of steps. With poor visibility it is also difficult to see what is hanging around above you. Cornices will continue to develop and when collapsing have the potential to trigger slopes.
Unstable windslab – slopes cracking under body weight
Persistent drifting at profile site
Structures icing up at 900m
Sharp transition from snow-ice to drifted snow.
Poor visibility above 800m
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