Variable winds
24th January 2026
Another day of very strong and, in many places, variable winds. Today’s observations were from Ben Nevis with many climbing teams turning round due to the strength of the wind and others climbing at lower elevations. Below the CIC Hut precipitation was rain and winds were South-Easterly, higher up in the coire winds were very variable blowing snow one way then a few minutes later the other way. Many slopes were a firm crust, fairly thick but when you did go through often knee deep soft snow underneath. While most slopes were scoured, the variable nature of the wind means pockets of windslab are possible on any aspect. Significant snowfall is forecast overnight so windslab will continue to build, higher up at gully tops and coire rims accumulations could gain depth rapidly given the windspeed. In the corries a more variable wind effect is possible again and with pockets of windslab possible on any aspect despite wind exposed slopes being mainly scoured.
The bottom of Number 5 Gully and Carn Dearg Buttress, Ben Nevis
The Douglas Boulder, Ben Nevis
Central and South Trident Buttresses, Ben Nevis
Castle Gullies, Ben Nevis
Looking up the approach slopes from the Lochan in Coire na Ciste, Ben Nevis
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