Scottish Winter Conditions

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 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:
Weather Forecasts: Large pinches of salt required
Five day regional forecasts and lots more.
Five day regional forecasts and a Monthly Outlook.
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.
Useful long range national forecasts (and annoying pop-up windows!)
48 hour, 1- 7day and 8-14 day, and most importantly, night time, forecasts, for all regions of the UK.
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.
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.
Long term predictions.
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
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's Winter Conditions page gives regular updates on Ben Nevis and Glencoe - and you can stay in his bunkhouse too!
Al Powell and Rich Cross's site has a useful Scottish Conditions Links Page and an even more useful Alpine Conditions Links Page.
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.
Data from the Cairngorm Weather Station and sometimes a webcam, from Herriot Watt University.
A site where people can and occaisionally do post photos of crags and climbs - doesn't get a lot of use.
Ken Rutherford's site has a Reports Page for the Cairngorms.
A site dedicated to British winter climbing with its own Reports Page.
Rob Jarvis has a Winter Reports Page covering anywhere in Scotland, but not so frequently updated as others.
The indoor ice climbing wall at Kinlochleven posts occasional Reports with pictures on what they have been up to in the great outdoors.
Moran Mountaineering has a winter conditions report for the North-West Highlands.
An up to date Blog with conditions in both Scotland and the Lakes over the winter months.
No reports on line, but they will email you a regular Cairngorms report if you submit your email address to their site.
Andrew Mallinson's site has a Reports Page.
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.
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.
Cairngorms based mountaineering instructor with a blog giving information on conditions.
Lakes based winter climbing star has his own blog.
The Winter Forum has some useful stuff, and quite a few reports. They also have a Winter Conditions page.
A good General Weather and Snow Report and the UK Ice Conditions Server which is good posting place for winter reports.
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
Fair Isle weather based camera from the Shetland Isles.
The Lunna House camera is in the north-east corner of the Main Island of the Shetland Isles.
View of Scalloway harbour (looking to the east from the navigation tower at the NAFC Marine Centre).
View of Stromness harbour.
Webcams: Northern Highlands
Met Office webcam in the North-Western Highlands not far south of Ullapool.
Loch Torridon Hotel webcam looking across to Liatach.
Another view of Liatach - not updated as frequently.
Webcams: Western Isles
This camera provides a good view of the Skye Bridge and the Cuillins (if you are lucky!)
A view is from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig College on Skye looking out to Knoydart and the entrance to Loch Hourn.
Webcams: Highlands West
Picturesque castle on the road to Skye.
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.
Buachaille Etive Mor as seen from the Kinghouse.
Looking south-west from Inchree Centre at Onich to the Morven Mountains and west shore of Loch Linnhe.
Regularly updated view of Oban and, more importantly, the sky above it.
Regularly updated view of Ben Lomond - handy for assessing conditions on the nearby Cobbler.
Webcams: Highlands East
Met Office webcam showing a distant view of the Cairngorms.
Aviemore Highland Resort.
A view of the Cairngorm ski slopes.
The Cairngorm Weather Station camera gives a view of the 'gorm (and probably the Glenmore Lodge van!) from the carpark.
A view of Killin High Street which shows if snow is lying up towards Glen Lochay/Tarmachans area.
Met Office webcam based just east of Ballatter and Braemar.
Webcams: Lowlands
From Greenfield, looking north-west to the Ochils.
As seen (or not depending on the weather) from Girvan.
Webcams: The Borders
Met Office webcam in Dumfrieshire.
View in the town centre.
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 lighthouse.