Avalanche forecasts have ended for 17/18 winter season and General Snowpack Stability information.
We recommend that mountain goers venturing into the hills continue to observe weather forecasts prior to their excursions, and visual observations of conditions during their trip. This information is important in making good plans and allowing for flexible decision making when in the mountains and hills.
Snow fields remain present in the mountains and hills above 750m, sometimes extensive above 1000m in many Highland areas, they may present a slipping and falling hazard if firm and icy and a surface sloughing hazard instability on steep, sun affected slopes.
Cornices may also present a hazard, threatening many slopes, these are unpredictable and prone to collapse in the warm spring conditions. Likewise, the potential for full depth avalanches due to snow creep producing Glide cracks in deeper accumulations on steep West through North to Easterly facing slopes may also present an unpredictable hazard.
We would like to thank you for your support over the winter and wish you an enjoyable summer. With thanks from the SAIS forecaster team.
We publish daily reports of observed and forecast, avalanche, snow, and mountain conditions at the 5 most popular areas of Scotland during the season. With a continuing pilot period for the Torridon area.
You can find out more about Avalanches or, about Forecasts or, about the SAIS by clicking on the relevant index link on this page.
Reporting an avalanche, especially if witnessed, provides valuable stability information which can be used to help all mountain users with their decision making process and, which also provides essential data for avalanche research. We encourage anyone who sees an avalanche to help the SAIS by Reporting an Avalanche using our on-line form.
