Weather Update

Well, it isn't going to be half as good as the weather on the Ben Vane trip. However it isn't half as bad as the winter skills either.
With 40 mph winds gusting up to 55 mph it will make for challenging conditions at some points with the snow flurries forecast (we will manage the risk as we go).
The freezing level is around 500m with temperatures at 900m being -4C dropping through out the day.
These conditions aren't too bad and we may be lucky with the clouds (most likely not) with a 30% chance of a cloud free Munro.

The SAIS forecast shows low risk with isolated moderate risk areas on W to NE slopes.
This is again going to be assessed as we go.

All in all it looks to be a good day out in the hills, we do have 4 experienced members down to go and 3 new from winter skills members so we have the numbers to do some more building on the winter skills learnt.

Here is the key information from SAIS (please note this is for Glencoe, ours will be roughly the same but will differ in some aspects):

Observed Weather Influences
Light isolated snow showers above 550 metres with strong South-Easterly winds. The freezing level slowly rose to around 950 metres.


Observed Snow Stability and Avalanche Hazard
The new snow accumulations are not significant at present, the snowpack is generally well bonded and stable on all aspects and elevations. The avalanche hazard is Low.

Observed Mountain Travel Conditions
A light new covering of snow above 600 metres the snowpack is frozen above 700 metres and is firm and icy in places. Persistent dense cloud gave poor visibility above 600 metres. South- Easterly winds which were strong at times, 20 mph.

Comments
Strong gusting winds are forecast, these may reach 100 mph over the summits, this will have a considerable scouring effect forming windslab in sheltered locations. Summit temperatures around minus three degrees Celsius.