Warmer temperatures

20th January 2026

The snow pack is slowly consolidating and is generally well bonded and stable, thanks to the temperature hovering around 0 degrees for a large part of the day. There has been some snow loss at lower elevations but still large patches above 500 metres and better cover above 800 metres.

Poor visibility and very strong South-Easterly winds meant few pictures today.

More snow forecast for tomorrow with a drop in the freezing level, some uncertainty as to snow amounts but could be as much as 15 cms which considering the large fetch of the cairngorm plateau could put a significant amount of unstable snow on Northerly aspects by the end of the day. (see report for more detail).

P.S Thanks to those who reported the cornice collapse at Jacobs ladder yesterday. It is always appreciated to get information of avalanche activity.

(Above) Snow cover looking towards Lurchers gully.

(Above) Overnight accumulations of soft wet snow caught by one of the ski fences at around 1050 metres. Cairngorm summit recorded temperatures of 0 degrees for a few hours during the middle of the day.

(Above) Wet Jacket at 1141 metres spot height.

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