Murky, Mizzly, Mild
31st January 2025
It was milder today than expected from the forecast; the temperature at 1100m registered a balmy zero degrees. Highlighted by snow/ice collapsing from ski infrastructure. It was also damp and mizzly, with poor visibility for the most part. There was to be fair some brief clearings, but these were all too brief. Midday temperatures at the Cas Car Park registered +3 degrees and snow loss was notable in the lower Coire Cas ski area.
The windslab deposits built up over previous days were consolidating nicely, leaving a generally stable snowpack. Tomorrow’s strong to gale force southerly winds and mild temperatures will result in further snow loss at lower elevations. There is also the possibility that some wet snow instabilities may develop as the day progresses. The avalanche hazard is low. Please see detailed report for more information.
Ciste Mhearad (1100m) Deep deposits of windslab, but generally stable and continuing to consolidate in the relatively mild conditions. The dark holes in the snowpack in the lower centre of the picture is where the burn is exposed and water is running. The dark circles higher up are the entrances to snow holes, excavated by humans. And yes, top right there is the sun (very briefly) making an appearance.
Underfoot/ski conditions across the more wind exposed plateau area is still mainly ‘crusted’. Some weight bearing, some not. Textured with the frozen rain ‘blobs’ from earlier in the week.
This photo gives you a good idea of the visibility up high for most of the day…..
An all too brief clearing. Looking up through the Coire Cas ski area with the Fiachaill a Coire Cas on the RHS of the photo. Notable snow loss evident on the lower slopes as the day progressed.
A mid-afternoon view from Glenmore Lodge looking up into the Northern Corries. All the snow has now gone from the pine trees.
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