New Year’s Eve at Creag Meagaidh
31st December 2025
Much quieter at Creag Meagaidh today no doubt due to the less favourable overhead conditions. Just a trace of snowfall and negligible drifting, then some drizzle up to quite high altitudes. Paths remained frozen and water ice still present today despite the onset of milder temperatures.
We have snowfall in the forecast for overnight and throughout Thursday which is expected to come in the form of showers. A heads up: due to the hit or miss nature of shower activity we may get a little more, or less, than formally anticipated. The presumption at the moment is that most new drifted snow above 950m will accumulate on bare ground and be well bonded due to a combination of bed surface roughness and a relatively ‘warm’ ground surface temperature. However, if we get more snow than expected it’s possible that the avalanche hazard will need to be recalibrated upwards a category as the ground surface could be comprehensively covered over and weak layers develop within the new and much deeper snow rather than at the ground surface.
Should also see a cover of fresh snow down to quite low altitudes, the depth of which will depend entirely on the intensity of shower activity. Definitely wrap up warm – summit temperatures are forecast to be a chilly -6 by dawn, descending to -8 by close of play on Thursday! Winds will be NW 35mph, gusting 50mph over summits.
(Above) A poorly resolved photo of the approach to The Window at around midday today. Low mist and drizzle for a time didn’t make for great photography unfortunately. Only a trace of snowfall noted at the time of reporting.
(Above) Lochan a Choire at the head of Coire Ardair. Frozen again and with a little drifted snow at the foreshore – the site of today’s technical snow pit!
(Above) The crags in upper Coire Ardair were cloaked in mist but there was just enough contrast to pick out a little water ice development down the course of Centre Post on the Post Face of Coire Ardair.
(Above) I’m always amazed by the resolve and enthusiasm of visitors to Coire Ardair on a mizzly, windy day. Bumped into a really cheerful group from Yorkshire, hoods up, heads down making their way up the main path towards the lochan. Had a delightful chat about conditions in general and their interest in the ski-touring potential at Creag Meagaidh. Which those-in-the-know will confirm can be great…when we get decent cover! Well met, folks!
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