Blue sky powder day
8th March 2023
A blue sky powder day is a rare and treasured event in the Northern Cairngorms. Today was one of those days. With light winds and no shortage of sunshine, it did not feel as cold as the temperature suggested. It was minus 9 degrees C on the summit of Cairn Gorm at midday.
Underlying weaknesses persist within the snowpack on all aspects. Unstable windslab will progressively develop on South to West aspects above 900m, as the wind veers East-North-Easterly and redistributes all the light fluffy powder of today. The avalanche hazard will be considerable.
Looking down the South-East side of Cairn Gorm towards Coire Raibeirt. Although the snow was slightly wind affected in this location, once descending only a short distance from the summit of Cairn Gorm, the snow became light and fluffy.
Hard at work enjoying the soft snow.
Looking across to the Glen Feshie hills of Sgor Gaoith and Sgòran Dubh Mór.
Coire an t-Sneachda.
Ski was the preferred method of travel today, sinking in far less than when on foot.
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Allan Crawford
8th March 2023 8:26 pm
Looks amazing !
ncairngormsadmin
11th March 2023 4:09 pm
Thank you it was one of those special days in the Cairngorms.
Matt Dalby
8th March 2023 11:19 pm
After all the days you guys spend going out in rain, wind, blizzards etc. you deserve a few days of near perfection when you’d choose to be in the mountains if you weren’t working.
ncairngormsadmin
11th March 2023 4:10 pm
Well said thank you Matt.