Slow Consolidation

27th January 2025

A slightly murky day in the Northern Cairngorms, with some precipitation. This was rain at lower levels during the day, but snow flurries above 1000 metres. The slight rise in the freezing level has had a slowly consolidating affect on the snowpack in most locations.

This might be of particular interest to those out and about in the next couple of days. Today below 1000 metres this was obvious, with firm chalky windslab, with cracking or trenching of footprints failing to provide any evidence of cracks (indicating weakness). But above 1000 metres the windslab has remained cold, and weaknesses will persist for a while particularly nearer to the surface where cracking was obvious on skis.

Tomorrow, additional snowfall and a change in the wind direction will result in windslab development on South and South-East aspects as the day progresses.

In summary there is a much more wintery picture than of late, creating the perfect opportunity to observe the volatility of the Scottish winter.

 

A much more wintry picture than of late. Enough for “travel” on skis, but the rocks were lurking not far below the surface.

 

Digging a snow profile on a North-Easterly aspects at around 979 metres AMSL. The windslab on Northerly aspects has been deposited in the last few days and overlies bare ground in many locations. Weaknesses in this windslab are slowly consolidating in most locations. However, above 1000 metres the snow pack will remain cold, allowing weaknesses to persist. This will include crag aprons and steep wind sheltered locations in many north facing high coires.

 

Looking North from Coire Cas. A relatively mild day, with a freezing level of around 1000 metres. The striated banks of cloud below indicating slightly moister air.

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