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

Overhead should be better on Thursday, particularly in the west where it was a particularly soggy Wednedsay at Glencoe. However wind speeds were not as bad as anticipated on Wednesday morning and though it did get more blustery later, both CairnGorm and Glencoe were able to operate the scheduled uplift to the top of the respective snowsports areas.

However, it this evening the forecast wind speeds for Thursday have nudged up vs what was forecast yesterday, so there remains a bit of uncertainty given how today unfolded. The strongest winds are expected early in the morning before the general speeds moderate somewhat, however gustier squalls around hefty convective showers will also be a factor.

This evening Storm Force Southerly winds have set in on CairnGorm and this will accelerate the thaw before temperature lowers somewhat. Recent baseless snow cover and thinner cover on open slopes has generally been reversed, but for now there is little change in the terrain that has been consistently open over the past couple of weeks at both CairnGorm and Glencoe.

Planning ahead, Friday looks like another damp, mild and windy day before a steadily improving picture as high pressure starts to ridge in strongly through the weekend. Saturday will still be quite blustery, but but it will be an improving day and by Sunday it looks like we should be into classic spring conditions under high pressure with dirunal freeze/thaw cycling, with surface conditions getting better with each cycle with the old base snow yielding up classic granular spring snow corn.

Summer is long enough and as we pass the mid point of April the clock is ticking on this season, with Glencoe targeting Monday 4th May as closing day (weather and snow permitting), so with the weather set to settle down, time to grab some spring action while you can.

CairnGorm is the pick if you are seeking easier terrain or wish to ride with a mixed ability group, with still good cover in the Top Basin terrain (various green trails), White Lady (red) and the Cas runs from the Traverse (green / blue). The White Lady in particular has a wide and deep base thanks to the persistent SE storms in January!

If you are prepared to do the leg work the Ciste Gully is complete to below the level of the former boardwalks. However, please note that the Funicular touring pass is not available currently.

Glencoe is much better suited to more experienced skiers and boarders at this time, you need be a strong intermediate, comforartable with the harder end of blue terrain to get the most out of what is on offer. Mid mountain and the Cliffhanger is for access to/from the upper mountain, with the Wall (red) offering the best route (subject to surface conditions) down the mid mountain. There is a mostly skiable route via Mugs Alley and Old Mugs Alley, but this does require some walking in places.

Glenshee and the Lecht are currently closed for snowsports. At update the CairnGorm Ski Road, the A939 Lecht Pass and the A93 Cairnwell Pass were open and clear.

:: Glencoe Sledge Park

The Sledge Park is full length and in decent condition. Snow making is currently paused, pending the commissioning of a new snow factory unit! There are over 150 sledges to grab at the Plateau Cafe, sledging is complimentary!

It is advisable to arrive before 2.30pm at the latest for sledging to get a decent amount of time on the hill. First chair up at 9am, the sledge park is always quietest before lunch time. Last chair down scheduled for 4.15pm.

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:: England Club Fields

All the club fields are waiting for new snow to be able to reopen.

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 Glencoe, the summit AWS on Meall a Bhuiridh (1097m) was reporting a temperature of +3.7°c, with a variable wind at 7 gusting 23mph. At the SSC hut (850m) the temperature was +5.2°c. At Base level (366m) it was +10.3°c with a WSW wind at 9 gusting 23mph.

The SAIS summit AWS on Aonach Mor was reporting +3.1°c. The Met Office station was reporting a South wind at 34 gusting 52mph. At the CIC Hut (680m) it was +7.2°c. At Tulloch Station (237m) the temperature was +10.9°c.

In the East the summit weather stations on CairnGorm reported +3.9°c, with a Storm Force Southerly at a mean of 55 gusting 70mph. At Aviemore the temperature at 6pm was +13.3°c.

The Met Office Cairnwell AWS reported +5.9°c with a South wind at a mean of 45 gusting 58mph.

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:: Mountain Forecast Discussion

Thursday will provide a window of somewhat better and drier overhead between a soggy Wednesday and Friday, it will be cooler with showers wintry on the mountains with summit snow, but still fairly blustery. Hail and snow to slightly lower levels in heavier afternoon April showers with a risk of lightning and squally winds from the beefier of the shower cells. Around +1 to +3°c at Munro Level, lowest in showers in the West, highest toward the NE Highlands where more bright spells are expected. SW 25 gusting 40mph, but gusts 50mph possible early morning and around the heaviest showers.

Unfortunately Friday looks like another damp and windy day, though at this stage more showery than Wednesday. Windspeeds are likely to disrupt / limit uplift, with gusts widely to 50mph and 60mph in more prone locations. Around +3 to +5°c at Munro Level.

High pressure then begins ridging during the weekend. Saturday will still be showery in the West, at least initially with showers falling as snow on higher elevations. Showers should ease and brighter spells increase even in the West as the day goes on. Fewer showers reaching the East Highlands and these should fade quicker. Around +2 to +3°c at Munro Level, but lowering 1 or 0°c in heavier wintry showers in the West at times. SW 30 gusting 50mph widely post dawn, gusts 60mph on and near the Cairngorm Plateau and Nevis Range mountains. Speeds moderating by mid morning to be around 25 to 30 gusting 40 to 45mph and generally slowly moderating further through the afternoon.

Sunday into the new week sees high pressure centered over or to the North of Scotland and firmly in control of the weather. Classic spring conditions with diurnal freeze / thaw cycling of the snow pack expected over the following days. Dry and widely bright, but the best of the sunshine day to day will depend on exact position of the high and where if anywhere has onshore wind. Generally light and variable wind on the hills. Some inversion mist may form in the glens, but should soon burn off in the strengthening spring sunshine. Daytime Munro Level temperatures around +2 to +3°c, but may peak a few degrees higher in the sunniest areas.

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:: Webcams and Weather Stations

Lowther Hill: Leadhills webcam is online (24/7).

GLENCOE: All mountain webcams online and the first updated images are shortly after 6am (BST). Sledge Park camera streams overnight. Replacement Summit AWS has been installed and temperature data is available from 4 levels. Wind speed currently available at summit and base.

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