Where did that go!
13th January 2025
Very rapid snow loss!
The mild temperatures and the strong winds removed much of the soft and cold snow on the mountains of the Southern Cairngorms. What is left behind are the snow drifts at lower elevations and the deeper accumulations on East through South to South-West aspects, mostly above 900 metres.
The remaining snowpack is quite moist and is consolidating at all levels. It is generally well bonded, any lingering cornice with remain unstable and prone to collapse. The buttresses of Lochnagar are ‘black’ with snow confined to gully lines. There is still some ice smears holding onto the rocks, these are likely to collapse/fall over the next few days.
Although the snow patches are quite soft there is still quite a few sheets of ice on paths, these are generally avoidable.
Mild conditions will persist for the next few days.
The Lochnagar path. Soft deep drifts remain on there track. The ground is very soft and unconsolidated after the thaw.
A view into the Lochnagar coire. Some ice smears are visible hanging on to the rocks.
Black Spout in the cloud, Lochnagar.
A view North from the Lochnagar path.
Some ice sheets remain on the paths at around 500 metres, easily avoidable.
The Linn of Muick waterfall. Still some snow and ice clinging to the rocks in this sheltered gorge.
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James John West
13th January 2025 7:09 pm
Hi there, loving the reports,
Can’t believe how much seems to have thawed!
Are these cold, dry spells, mixed with very mild southwesterlies normal?
scairngormsadmin
14th January 2025 6:13 pm
Hi
Thank you for your comments.
Fluctuations in our winter weather are quite normal, mainly due to being surrounded by the sea. A lot of the recent snowfall was cold snow and remained cold meaning that it was quite a superficial covering and easy ‘prey’ to the warm winds.