Zero Vis AGAIN…
10th February 2026
Another day of poor visibility in the Northern Cairngorms. Thanks to the troops from RAF Valley MRS who sent in an image of Coire an t-Sneachda, taken yesterday during a clearer spell in the afternoon.
In the coire today there was some avalanche and cornice debris which most likely released overnight. New windslab development continues high around the coire rims and scarp slopes of these North facing coires, with accumulations expected to become more widespread tomorrow. This will be the primary Avalanche Problem.
There were a few climbers in the coire today logically opting for aspects likely to have been soured by the wind, notably North-East and East aspects. It was these slopes that were the subject of my snow profile today. Of interest is an obvious weak layer beneath a friable crust. This is quite widespread on many aspects above 1000 metres.
This is present on nearly all aspects, and might be considered to have merely of novelty value. However, as we experience further snowfall in the next 24 hours it is likely this will be overlain by more windslab due to cross loading. This is mentioned under the Persistent Weak Layer Avalanche Problem, and can be considered a secondary Avalanche Problem (see report page).
The Avalanche Hazard will be Considerable.
Avalanche and cornice debris on the coire floor under the ‘Mess of Pottage’ and ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ in Coire an t-Sneachda. This most likely released overnight. Unfortunately visibility did not allow closer observations and I wasn’t going to commit myself further to the crag apron above. A similar volume of debris was also visible under ‘Aladdin’s Buttress’.
Thanks to RAF Valley MRS for this image of Coire an t-Sneachda taken from ‘Fiacaill Buttress ‘yesterday 9th Feb 2026. Very useful to demonstrate that it did clear briefly after I came off the hill yesterday. Note the avalanche debris in the centre of the image from the ‘Central Gully’ / ‘The Runnel’ area. This is most likely a slab avalanche from below the coire rim. [Good to know there has been some VFR rather then permanent-IMC…].
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