Light and Fluffy Fresh Snow.
16th January 2024
There was an ominous sky this morning. For an hour or so later morning it looked like the weather might clear up. However, around midday it started snowing, and then continued through the afternoon. Unusually for Scotland it this snow fell with almost no wind, giving a uniform cover of soft powdery snow (very pleasant skiing if you could see anything). However, the calm conditions are unlikely to last long, and when the wind does get up the soft snow is going to drift. Where this drifted snow is deposited as windslab, it will lie on top of the soft low density layer. This is going to create a very unstable combination. Something to keep in mind if you are planning to head out tomorrow.
It has been cold with a dusting of snow down to glen level and many lochs frozen. Here the view over Loch Patyoulish this morning.
A more unusual view over to Cairngorm from Meall a Bhuachaille this morning. The foreground is pretty typical of the mid level, heather covered with a dusting of snow.
The weather station on the summit of Cairngorm. There were a few ski tourers out and about. Note the large amount of rime on the mast, must be pretty heavy.
For a short time it tried to clear up. The sun attempting to break through around 11am above Stacan Dubha.
Shelterstone crag and Carn Etchacan just before the visibility dropped.
Heading back down the ski road through Glenmore early afternoon it was snowing considerably.
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