Snow before the imminent thaw
18th February 2025
Given the uncertainty with the forecast snow amounts it was good to go and “see” what had materialised. Seeing wasn’t that easy as the visibility was poor at first, so it was more a case of feeling and observing.
There was a thin layer of fresh snow at all levels. At lower elevations this thawed throughout the day. There were deeper accumulations in wind sheltered places above 800 metres. There was evidence that there had been drifting but all drifting had ceased and new deposits above around 900 metres were covered in a thin friable crust caused by the freezing rain.
The temperature did rise slightly throughout the day, but the temperatures seemed to fluctuate significantly.
This will all look very different after the thaw that is forecast for the end of the week.
On the way up to ‘The Window’ looking back down to Lochan a’Choire with various group preparing for various different outings.
In the freezing rain on the path heading towards the summit of Creag Meagaidh at around 1000 metres. There was evidence of new snow that had been drifting but all drifting had ceased due to the firm thin rain crust that had formed on the surface on the new deposits.
The visibility beginning to improve. Looking North-West with the top of Creag an Lochain just in view.
Snow of the new snow deposits without the crust on the surface (at around 800 metres). Depth of the new deposits varied considerably but most were ankle deep (10 – 15cm) with deeper drifts in places.
The cloud beginning to lift revealing some climbers heading towards, and in, Easy Gully
Coire Ardair.
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