Winter Conditions

Finding out what is "in" in Scotland in winter is not that easy, especially if you live in England or Wales. In fact, finding out what is "in" in England and Wales isn't that easy either. 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!

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 4 (Considerable) or above, and to take great care if it is. 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 posts blogs written by its staff that give a little more detail, and photographs:
Weather Forecasts: Large pinches of salt required
The Met Office
 Five day regional forecasts and lots more.
BBC
 Five day regional forecasts and a Monthly Outlook.
Accu Weather
Was On Line Weather. Four day regional forecasts. Includes Mountain Weather Forecasts for relevant altitudes (NB these vary according to area) and a Satellite View.
Weather Online
 Useful long range national forecasts (and annoying pop-up windows!)
Met Check
48 hour, 1- 7day and 8-14 day, and most importantly, night time, forecasts, for all regions of the UK.
MWIS
The Mountain Weather Information Service (aka Geoff Monk) gives detailed forecasts three day forecasts for mountain areas in PDF format - generally accurate. They also have a links page to various Winter Conditions Reports.
YR.NO
yr.no is the joint online weather service from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation and is widely reckoned to be the most accurate available, with incredible detail.
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.
Snow Forecast
 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
Abacus
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.
Alpha
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.
Cairngorm Weather Station
Data from the Cairngorm Weather Station and sometimes a webcam, from Herriot Watt University.
Crag Conditions
A site where people can and occaisionally do post photos of crags and climbs - doesn't get a lot of use.
Ecosse Mountains
Ken Rutherford's site has a Reports Page for the Cairngorms.
The Frontpoint
A site dedicated to British winter climbing with its own Reports Page.
Highland Guides
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.
Live4Mountaineering Campbell West is a keen winter climber and instructor based in Kendal and works in both Scotland and the Lake District. He has a regularly updated blog.
Martin Moran
Moran Mountaineering has a winter conditions report for the North-West Highlands.
More Than Mountains
An up to date Blog with conditions in both Scotland and the Lakes over the winter months.
Mountain Circles Paddy Cave is a local instructor and regularly out and about in the Lakes in winter - see his Blog for the latest reports.
Mountain Innovations
Regular Cairngorm area reports on their Blog.
Mountaineering Mentors
Andrew Mallinson's site has a Reports Page.
MWIS
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.
Sandy Patterson
Cairngorms based mountaineering instructor with a blog giving information on conditions.
Scottishwinter Excellent site with lots of new route and conditions info.
Steve Ashworth
Lakes based winter climbing star has his own blog - now based at the Epicentre shop in Ambleside.
UK Climbing
The Winter Forum has some useful stuff, and quite a few reports. They also have a Winter Conditions page.
Vertical Frontiers Ben Bradford is a British Mountain Guide based in South-West England but who operates in Scotland in winter and maintains a Blog.
Winterhighland
A good General Weather and Snow Report and the UK Ice Conditions Server which is good posting place for winter reports.
Winternet
Talisman have some very useful Scottish webcam links and climbing reports from the Cairngorms.
Zac Poulton Lakes based winter instructor who works a lot in Scotland - has his own Blog.
Webcams: Scotland in General
Traffic Scotland Traffic reports and a load of useful roadside Webcams. These are very quick to load and give a good indication of snow cover and road conditions at the same time - all over the country.
Webcams: Northern Isles
Shetland 1
 Fair Isle weather based camera from the Shetland Isles.
Shetland 2
The Lunna House camera is in the north-east corner of the Main Island of the Shetland Isles.
Shetland 3
View of Scalloway harbour (looking to the east from the navigation tower at the NAFC Marine Centre).
Orkney
 View of Stromness harbour.
Webcams: Northern Highlands
Loch Glascarnoch
 Met Office webcam in the North-Western Highlands not far south of Ullapool.
Torridon 1
 Loch Torridon Hotel webcam looking across to Liatach.
Torridon 2
 Another view of Liatach - not updated as frequently.
Webcams: Western Isles
Skye 1
This camera provides a good view of the Skye Bridge and the Cuillins (if you are lucky!)
Skye 2
A view is from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig College on Skye looking out to Knoydart and the entrance to Loch Hourn.
Webcams: Highlands West
Eilean Donan
Picturesque castle on the road to Skye.
Ben Nevis
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.
Glencoe 1
Buachaille Etive Mor as seen from the Kinghouse.
Glencoe 2
Looking south-west from Inchree Centre at Onich to the Morven Mountains and west shore of Loch Linnhe.
Oban
Regularly updated view of Oban and, more importantly, the sky above it.
Loch Lomond
Regularly updated view of Ben Lomond - handy for assessing conditions on the nearby Cobbler.
Webcams: Highlands East
Aviemore 1
 Met Office webcam showing a distant view of the Cairngorms.
Aviemore 2
 Aviemore Highland Resort.
Cairngorm Ski
A view of the Cairngorm ski slopes.
Cairngorm Car Park
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.
Aboyne
 Met Office webcam based just east of Ballatter and Braemar.
Webcams: Lowlands
Ochills
 From Greenfield, looking north-west to the Ochils.
Arran
 As seen (or not depending on the weather) from Girvan.
Webcams: The Borders
Eskdalemuir
 Met Office webcam in Dumfrieshire.
Dumfries
 View in the town centre.
Powfoot
 Two views from the golf course near Annan.
Rhinns of Kells A view of the eastern side of the Galloway Hills, as seen from the east.
Mull of Galloway
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!
"Few plans survive contact with the weather."
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