181 replies to this topic

[firefly]

Well, May is here - which means that it's time to chart how the snow is holding up on the hills of Scotland. However, before I do, I'd like to make a note that, as of the 1st of May, two hills in England are still holding snow: Cross Fell (Pennines) and Helvellyn. Here's a photograph from the 26th of Helvellyn showing a few bits 'n bobs left, and here's one of Cross Fell which was taken today (thanks to Paul Crabtree), showing two small patches. The smart money's on Helvellyn lasting longest, but I'd be surprised if it was still there by Wednesday next week.

As for Scotland and where are we compared to the last couple of years... Pretty much the same as 2007, but far less coverage than 2008. There was very heavy snowfall this winter, but there have also been severe thaws, which have been a curse to the ski-ing centres. That said, because of the sheer volume of some of the snow, visitor numbers were actually up at Glenshee this year compared to last.

There's not much point in talking about snow-patches at the moment due to the still very large quantity of snow present on the mountains. Realistically, how do you talk about patches when you've got this quantity of snow on Ben Nevis only a couple of weeks ago:



I have also started an archive of photographs on my flickr site. Just to prove that all snow melting in Scotland isn't a recent phenomenon, here's a set from 1959 which shows all snow melted (by the 8th September) at Garbh Choire Mor. This was the last time this site was snow free until 1996 (37-years).

Other reports/pictures will follow in due course, but in the meantime I'm happy to answer any questions anyone has. Oh, and if you're in the hills at all then don't forget to snap away and post the results up here!

Cheers,

Iain

[firefly]

Fresh snow this morning on Aonach Mor and Cairn Gorm. Nothing major, but a sign that wintery conditions are not yet finished! As we say in Scotland, "Ne'er cast a cloot 'til May's oot".

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[firefly]

Possible whiteout conditions over the hills on Thursday, with heavy snow showers forecast for the weekend: http://mwis.org.uk/mountain/WH.PDF

[firefly]

Well, the last snow on Cross Fell (Pennines) has now gone: probably early this week (Monday/Tuesday). The last known photograph (below, with dog!) was taken on the 2nd. In all probability, Helvellyn's snow has probably gone, too.

This means that, very probably, Britain's most southerly snow-patch is now on Talla East Side (near Moffat - http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=31695...mp;mapp=map.srf), and photo below). However, this patch is very probably very small indeed by now, and only the relatively cool conditions just now will be slowing its demise.

*EDIT* You'll have to zoom out 1 notch to see the map properly: don't ask me why!

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Edited by firefly, 07 May 2009 - 20:17 .

[John_T]

Does anybody know if there any snow left on any of the western isles? Mull or Skye I would assume if any.

Edited by John_Scottish_Snow, 07 May 2009 - 20:23 .

[yeahbabyyeah]

Lots of Snow above 600m this morning looking towards the grampians...looks like a little top up for any patches that may survive...the view was really nice!!

[kippure]

Nice

[Zerouali lives]

It seems the past 2 months or so have been fairly cool in North East Scotland which should help snow patch retention. However there has been no real cold snaps to increase snow depths in these favoured north east facing corries. The colder weather this week is ideal - Polar Maratime winds encoacing from a SW'ly direction really piles up the snow in these snow patch locations. Overall, I would not expect to see as many survivals this year as last but much depends on Summer and Autumn of course - humid, damp conditions would really thow a spanner in the works.

The first Saturday in July (Braemar golf day) i can see how much snow there is on the hills looking WNW - last year there was still a considerable amount of snow on the main peak i could see (maybe Beinn Bhreac or South Top)

Edited by Zerouali lives, 09 May 2009 - 18:00 .

[morfius]

Ben Nevis looking stunning under clearish skys

[shuggee]

Much of the snow on Ben Nevis was delivered overnight Fri/Sat. Extensive snow still at 2500ft+ on the drive round the highlands this weekend

[kippure]

Heres alittle more of a top up

[firefly]

Sorry, been away on holiday for over a week and couldn't update this thread.

Anyway, here we go...

I believe that there is still snow on Skye, but am not sure about Mull. I suspect not.

Contrary to the earlier assertion of Cross Fell on the Pennines disappearing in the first week in May, it actually vanished on the 13th. I have a reliable contact who informed me of this. The only remaining snow now in England (this is 99% definite) is on Helvellyn, if it hasn't already melted. The picture below shows it on the 10th May, and my guess is it's still there, though small. It was 10m wide and 1.5m deep in this photograph.

We also think there are a couple of patches in the Southern Uplands (around Broad Law), but haven't been reported for a few days.

Attached is a cracking picture of Ben Nevis taken on the 16th May (courtesy of Mike Pescod).

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Edited by firefly, 17 May 2009 - 12:37 .

[Norrance]

I was up in Highland Perthshire yesterday watching the cycle race. Still good patches up in the Lawers area though most of the new stuff has gone.

Took a couple of pictures but as from a distance may not be too clear. Will check later and if ok will post them.

[Zerouali lives]

Seen a photograph in our local paper today from the Northern Open golf event at Spey Valley, Aviemore. The snap takes in the backdrop of the Cairngorm and there still appeared to be lots of snow coverage

[andy_leics22]

Zerouali lives, on 27 May 2009, 10:33 PM, said:

Seen a photograph in our local paper today from the Northern Open golf event at Spey Valley, Aviemore. The snap takes in the backdrop of the Cairngorm and there still appeared to be lots of snow coverage

I's a good job Scotland hasn't been having the temperatures that England has been having the past few days because the snow would be rapisly melting even at 2000ft. Temps of 23c here today, at 2000ft that would probably be about 12c?

[Northernlights]

A view of the Cairngorms with the remaining snow as seen between Aviemore and Carrbridge on Friday 29th May with the car thermometer reading 25c at about 2.30 pm

[Zerouali lives]

Looks like we could get some fresh snow on the mountains this week, especially Thursday/Friday.

[firefly]

Sorry I haven't updated this thread for a while!

So, where are we in terms of snow-patches? Firstly, the final snow in England (on Helvellyn) melted around the 15th May, for all those interested.

Secondly, we're now into June and I was concerned that Scotland's most southerly snow-patch would be the Cuidhe Chrom on Ben More, Crianlarich (one of not many snow-patches in Scotland to have its own name on Ordnance Survey maps: see attached picture. Cuidhe Chrom means 'crooked wreath', which is very appropriate to the snow there). In 2008 at this time the most southerly snow in Scotland was on Beinn Ime, near Loch Lomond, but with less snow this year than last I was concerned that it wouldn't persist into June. To my surprise, the snow has persisted into June (just!), and is visible as a small patch on the right-hand mountain in this picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28183399@N03/...57617244267543/

After this melts then the Cuidhe Chrom will take the position of Britain's most southerly snow-patch. However, unlike last year, it is very unlikely to last into July. I visited it last year on the 30th June and it was still over 100m long. If it's still there on the 30th this year then it will have done well!

After this melts then the Cuidhe Chrom will take the position of Britain's most southerly snow-patch. However, unlike last year, it is very unlikely to last into July. I visited it last year on the 30^th June and it was still over 100m long. If it's still there on the 30^th this year then it will have done well!

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Edited by firefly, 03 June 2009 - 08:33 .

[firefly]

The forecasted cold spell coming from the north has, as predicted, deposited some snow on the top of the Cairngorms (see attached). Not a huge amount, but the forecast is for more over the course of the next 24-hours, with the cold spell continuing for the next few days.

Though this will, in all probability, make little material difference to the remaining old snow, the cool weather will stem the rapid melting of the snow that has occurred over the last week or so.

Still massive wreaths in the Cairngorms, with Ben Macdui having a 'patch' about a mile long if taken tip-to-tip. The attached picture (from the 1st June) gives a big foreshortening effect, but allows an idea of what we have on Britain's snowiest mountain.

The other attachment is from the top of Ben Macdui (3rd June) looking across the Lairig Ghru towards Cairn Toul and Braeriach, with Garbh Choire Mor (Britain's longest-lying snow) visible in the centre left (the biggest blob of snow!)

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Edited by firefly, 05 June 2009 - 07:55 .

[firefly]

I can't upload the panorama photograph, but I'll keep trying...