General Situation // Scottish Ski & Winter Activity Report // Winterhighland

The only lift served snowsports on Friday were at Glencoe, with the the 3 Eastern Areas StormBound. The A93 Cairnwell Pass and the CairnGorm ski road remained closed all day, though the A939 Lecht Pass was open again at update.

Sustained Violent Storm - Force 11 winds on top of CairnGorm on Friday, big volumes of snow continuing to move about and also land on the ski road. Areas of snow will move into the SE Cairngorms this evening, all areas should see some new snow, but it will be the SE Highlands that sees heaviest falls. Totals for Glenshee in the forecast models range from 5-8cm at lower projections to more than double that! Either way with strong winds continuing tonight there is almost certain to be lengthy delays in the morning with the roads in the East. Expectation is that drifting will see the A939 closed this evening again, though it may need the least work in the morning.

With more snow coming in, the high winds continuing overnight before progressively moderating during Saturday, if you are wanting to hit one of the Eastern areas this weekend, then Sunday looks to be the more promising day, as winds are due to drop off further overnight into early Sunday. So this will give both the road and hill crews a chance to make more progress with storm recovery work.

With strong SE winds and heavier snow forecast for Friday night, Glencoe is looking like the safer bet for Saturday as it was open to the top on Friday and there are no high level roads to deal with! The full on mountain vertical of 1400ft is available and the Plateau area has been improving steadily this week, though there are still some thinner areas. Up top Rannoch Glades, the Rock Garden (the boulderfield between Rannoch Glades and the Main Basin), the Main Basin itself, Happy Valley and Etive Glades seeing action on wind packed fresh snow. Things are somewhat back to front with snow on the wrong side of fences given the sustained East based airflow!

While wind speeds are not forecast to be as high as Friday, they will still be high enough for considerable drifting to continue, particularly on CairnGorm where wind will accelerate down the Windy Ridge. The degree to which SE winds coming off the Cairngorm Plateau are stronger than generally forecast for that height has been a bit of a lottery this past couple of week, so the road crews may get something of a break, or it could be a losing battle for much of Saturday. There is certainly no guarantee CairnGorm will be able to open on Saturday and if it does the effort will be focused on getting surface lifts open. CML does not expect the Funicular Railway to run or Ptarmigan Restaurant to open Saturday.

No further online ticket sales for the weekend for CairnGorm, if the mountain does open additional tickets will be available from the Base Station ticket office. If shuttle buses are required, note that for returning to the Ciste Carpark, the Laogh Mor Return fences look good, but there is a sizable gap in coverage about the fenceline out of the Coire due to scouring of windward aspects.

At Glenshee the wind was not as severe, but was strong enough, that the drifting kept the A93 closed as snowblowers were unable to widen the cut for 2 way traffic. On Western aspects there is wide cover beyond the snow fences, but windward aspects have scoured areas. It is hoped to get out to the back of Sunnyside with Tom Dearg scheduled and if wind abates sufficiently to get the Cairnwell Chair going. This would access the Thunderbowl as well as the Cairnwell RaceTracks while avoiding the T-bar. A monumental amount of storm recovery work is required to get out and up Meall Odhar and beyond.

The Lecht has caught a lot of snow at the top of the hill, less on the steeper section of the main side runs, but lots on the Buzzard. Machines were working to even out the snow cover. Buzzard side is loading across the hillside. All 3 eastern areas have good beginner options.

All facilities at Nevis Range have been closed since Monday 5th January, including the base area. There is no lift assisted access to Aonach Mor for tourers or winter climbers at this time.

:: Glencoe Sledge Park

The Sledge Park at the Plateau Cafe is in excellent condition! It is advisable to arrive before 2pm at the latest for sledging to get a decent amount of time on the hill. First chair up at 9am, last chair up at 3.45pm and last chair down at 4pm. Sledgers keep in mind, the Access Chair will be busier at the end of weekend days with snowsports underway.

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:: England Club Fields

Weardale was able to operate on Wednesday and Friday. At Raise the wind direction unfortunately scoured the Poma slope!

For both Weardale and Allenheads, you need to join the club with a season pass, these are still available for both at this time.

Please check club access rules / availability if not a club member / pass holder.

Weardale: https: //skiweardale.com/ .
Allenheads: http://ski-allenheads.co.uk/ .
Yad Moss: https: //yadmoss.co.uk/ .
Raise: https: //www.ldscsnowski.co.uk/ .

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:: Mountain Weather

At 6pm in the West at the Glencoe SSC hut (850m) the temperature was -1.8°c, no wind data due to icing. At the Top of the Access (671m) it was -0.6°c. At Base level (366m) it was +1.3°c.

The SAIS summit AWS on Aonach Mor was reporting -3.7°c. The Met Office station was reporting an ESE wind at 26 gusting 51mph. At the CIC Hut (680m) it was +0.1°c. At Tulloch Station (237m) the temperature was +3.8°c.

In the East the Met Office Summit AWS on CairnGorm reported -4.3°c, with a Storm Force South Easterly at a mean of 58 gusting 80mph. At Aviemore the temperature at 6pm was +3.1°c.

The Met Office Cairnwell AWS (3061ft /934m) has not reported since 3pm when it recorded a temperature of -2.6°c, with a South Easterly at a mean of 48 gusting 69mph.

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:: Mountain Forecast Discussion

Saturday should see overnight snow ease for snow showers, around -2 to -3°c at Munro Level, with moderating SE winds, but gusts to 50mph likely in prone locations particularly during snow. More snowfall towards the SE Cairngorms, more showery for Glencoe and the Lecht, and Glencoe may catch some brighter or sunny spells.

Over the coming days a similar pattern to pre Storm Chandra looks likely, FL bouncing around between slightly below and slightly above the lower slopes, wind generally from the SE quadrant and speeds fluctuating. A marked lull looks possible overnight into the first part of Sunday, this should allow a more swift opening on Sunday. However Saturday in the West looks like a slightly better chance of brightness. More snow showers moving in to the East during Sunday, more widely cloudy. Around -2°c rising to -1°c at Munro Level on Sunday.

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:: Webcams and Weather Stations

Lowther Hill: Leadhills webcam is online (24/7). A power cut affected the camera, it is back online, but some fogging of the lens is apparent on top of bouts of actual fog. This should clearup soon with the camera powered up.

GLENCOE: All mountain webcams online and the first updated images are from the Top of the Access Chair shortly after 7am, other cams come on by 8am. The mid mountain weather station wind direction is not working, other data valid.

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