Life inside a cloud…
1st March 2025
After yesterday’s sunshine and endless views, the first day of March was a bit of a contrast – for the morning at least.
Low level, wet cloud hung to the mountains of the Northern Cairngorm this morning, giving restricted views and coating any available surface, including us in a thin veneer of water. The temperature on the summit of Cairngorm at midday was -1.4°C and a lot of the rime ice on the rocks and boulders below 1200 metres has been stripped or fallen off.
The snow patches remain firm and icy, with even shallow slopes requiring crampons to cross confidently. The recent deposits of wind drifted snow remain on North to East aspects above 1000 metres, these are isolated and generally avoidable.
During the afternoon the sun finally managed to get control of the wet cloud and the visibility improved considerably.
Tomorrow is going to be dominated by increasing winds which are expected to reach storm force during the day. A temperature inversion over the Northern Cairngorms is expected for Sunday, with warmer air temperatures but with the snow remain cold and firm.
Happy St David’s day or Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus to any Welsh readers and today also marks the official first day of Spring.
Heading towards Cnap Coire na Spreidhe. The rocky tors were heavily rimed 24 hours ago.
Mapo and compass in use to find the site of today’s snow obersvations.
A brief break in the cloud giving views across Ciste Mhearad towards Beinn Mheadhoin 1182m
Peering in to an old snow hole on the East side of Cairngorm.
Crossing the firm and icy snow patches. The shallow win drifted snow deposit showing as whiter than the older snow.
The older snow patches will be remaining firm and icy.
Summit weather station of Cairngorm 1245m. Rime ice just holding to the structure.
When the clouds cleared…. Coire Chais and Coronation Wall.
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