Better Visibility!

8th February 2024

Continuing cold temperatures, clear skies overnight and light winds really helped to develop these beautiful surface hoar crystals below. When on the mountain there was evidence of further surface hoar development and could be seen glinting in the odd ray of sunshine. Actual snow cover was however patchy with terrain widely frozen and some water ice to contend with.

 

(Above) Great example of some surface hoar from a bench beside Loch Morlich. Sometimes described as frozen dew the locations proximity to the Loch is perfect for crystal development.

 

(Above) Small amounts of drifting snow and surface hoar.

 

(Above) Snow cover on the North corries of Braeriach. (Thanks to off-duty forecaster for picture.)

 

(Above) The back side of Coire an-t Sneachda showing snow cover on a South Easterly aspect above 1000 meters. Firm and icy!

 

(Above) Snow cover on the Northerly aspects of Coire an-t Sneachda.

 

(Above) Old snow ‘creep line’ most likely developed from the recent rain and warm temperatures. This can be a good warning sign of full depth avalanche hazard in steep areas when significant thawing is under way.

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