| Scottish
Winter Conditions |
Finding
out what is "in" in Scotland in
winter is not that easy, especially if you live
in England or Wales. Here are the pick of the most
useful websites that can help you plan your trip.
Many of these sites are of use in summer too. |
Avalanche
Information: first port of call! |
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The
Scottish Avalanche Information Service Latest Forecast
is invaluable - and potentially life-saving. There is also quite often some good information about route conditions hidden away in there too. Unless you know the area like the back of your hand, it is generally considered foolish to set out on a climbing trip if the avalanche warning is IV or above, and to take great care if it is III. However, these are only forecasts, and, as always, it is up to the individual climber to assess the situation and make their own predictions.
In addition, the SAIS has started posting blogs by some of its staff that give a little more detail, and photographs:
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Weather Forecasts: Large pinches of salt required |
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Five day regional forecasts and lots more. |
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Useful long range national forecasts (and annoying pop-up windows!) |
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48 hour, 1- 7day and 8-14 day, and most importantly, night time, forecasts, for all regions of the UK. |
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The Mountain Weather Information Service (aka Geoff Monk) gives detailed forecasts three day forecasts for mountain areas in PDF format - generally very accurate. They also have a links page to various Winter Conditions Reports. |
| ECMWF |
The European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts is has proved spookily accurate over recent winters. To get to predicted synoptic charts go to Deterministic Forecast, click on the coloured chart, and then select one of the two links on the left under Parameters. |
| The Weather Outlook |
Long term predictions. |
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Three day snow forecasts for the UK and elsewhere - more if you sign up. |
Route
Reports: Winter climbing reports
submitted by climbers - small pinches of salt required |
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Mike Peascod's site has a Reports Page, mainly based around Ben Nevis and Glencoe, but often also including Creag Meagaidh and the Cairngorms. |
| Alan Kimber |
Alan's Winter Conditions page gives regular updates on Ben Nevis and Glencoe - and you can stay in his bunkhouse too! |
| Alpine Guides |
Al Powell and Rich Cross's site has a useful Scottish Conditions Links Page and an even more useful Alpine Conditions Links Page. |
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Nick Carter and Mike Brownlow provide a Conditions Page, mainly based around Ben Nevis and Glencoe, but often also including Creag Meagaidh and the Cairngorms.
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Data from the Cairngorm Weather Station and sometimes a webcam, from Herriot Watt University. |
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A site where people can and occaisionally do post photos of crags and climbs - doesn't get a lot of use. |
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Ken Rutherford's site has a Reports Page for the Cairngorms. |
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A site dedicated to British winter climbing with its own Reports Page. |
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Rob Jarvis has a Winter Reports Page covering anywhere in Scotland, but not so frequently updated as others. |
| Ice Factor |
The indoor ice climbing wall at Kinlochleven posts occasional Reports with pictures on what they have been up to in the great outdoors. |
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No
reports on line, but they will email you a regular
Cairngorms report if you submit your email address
to their site. |
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The Mountain Weather Information Service (aka Geoff Monk) gives detailed forecasts three day forecasts for mountain areas in PDF format - generally very accurate. They also have a links page to various Winter Conditions Reports. |
| Nevis Range |
Current conditions on the Anaoch Mor ski slopes; will be very similar to what you can expect on the Ben, and of course very handy for conditions on Anaoch Morr and Anaoch Beag. |
| Steve Ashworth |
Lakes based winter climbing star has his own blog. |
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The Winter Forum has some useful stuff, and quite a few reports. |
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Talisman have some very useful Scottish
webcam links and climbing reports from the Cairngorms. |
Webcams: Scotland General |
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Traffic reports and a load of useful roadside Webcams. |
Webcams: Northern Isles |
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Fair Isle weather based camera from the Shetland Isles. |
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The Lunna House camera is in the north-east corner of the Main Island of the Shetland Isles. |
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View of Scalloway harbour (looking to the east from the navigation tower at the NAFC Marine Centre). |
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View of Stromness harbour. |
Webcams: Northern Highlands |
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Met Office webcam in the North-Western Highlands not far south of Ullapool. |
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Loch Torridon Hotel webcam looking across to Liatach. |
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Another view of Liatach - not updated as frequently. |
Webcams: Western Isles |
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This camera provides a good view of the Skye Bridge and the Cuillins (if you are lucky!) |
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A view is from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig College on Skye looking out to Knoydart and the entrance to Loch Hourn. |
Webcams: Highlands West |
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Picturesque castle on the road to Skye. |
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Visit Fort William's Webcam is located at Tomacharich, Fort William and gives view looking up to the North Face from the valley bottom.
The camera viewing angle changes every 3 minutes, rotating through a selection of preset webcam views.
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Buachaille Etive Mor as seen from the Kinghouse. |
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Looking south-west from Inchree Centre at Onich to the Morven Mountains and west shore of Loch Linnhe. |
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Regularly updated view of Oban and, more importantly, the sky above it. |
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Regularly updated view of Ben Lomond - handy for assessing conditions on the nearby Cobbler. |
Webcams: Highlands East |
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Met Office webcam showing a distant view of the Cairngorms. |
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Aviemore Highland Resort. |
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A view of the Cairngorm ski slopes. |
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The Cairngorm Weather Station camera gives a view of the 'gorm (and probably the Glenmore Lodge van!) from the carpark. |
| Killin |
A view of Killin High Street which shows if snow is lying up towards Glen Lochay/Tarmachans area. |
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Met Office webcam based just east of Ballatter and Braemar. |
Webcams: Lowlands |
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From Greenfield, looking north-west to the Ochils. |
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As seen (or not depending on the weather) from Girvan. |
Webcams: The Borders |
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Met Office webcam in Dumfrieshire. |
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View in the town centre. |
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Two views from the golf course near Annan. |
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Mull of Galloway lighthouse. |
Have
you found a site not listed here that gives good
Scottish winter climbing information? If so please
let us know about it - email us at info@needlesports.com
- thankyou! |
