Compared to Summer
3rd April 2026
The freezing level briefly went above the summits overnight. Some fresh snow overnight last night was consolidated by rapid thaw-freeze cycle and the snowpack was firm, icy and generally stable this morning. There was then a few hours of relatively pleasant weather with some brief spells of sunshine during the morning. There was a few hours of snowfall early afternoon, before drying up again late afternoon. A relatively settled morning tomorrow before the arrival of Storm Dave later in the afternoon.
Good cover looking down into Coire Dubh. This morning the snow surface would have been a bit too firm to provide good skiing.
Looking South across Coire an Lochan.
A similar view in summer. Note that this photo was taken a few years ago and some of the wooden posts have gone since then. In summer the top of the coire is quite rounded, but in the winter it becomes much more abrupt due to drifting/cornice formation.
Looking along the coire to the South of Easy Gully.
The same view in summer. Patches of snow linger in the coire long into summer. In the past 20 years snow has survived all year round in Coire an Lochan three times I think (2008, 2014 and 2015). Those winters were very snowy winters with a fair bit more snow in the coire at this time of year than there presently is. Currently I would say it is unlikely that the snow will survive all summer in this location this year.
The top of Easy Gully today.
The top of Easy Gully in Summer. Notice how much more prominent the rocky rib on the right is when not half buried by snow as it is at the moment.
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Simon Scott
3rd April 2026 5:02 pm
Fascinating contrast in conditions, thank you.
Colin
3rd April 2026 7:30 pm
Fascinating. Thanks for posting.
Craig Shaw
3rd April 2026 11:08 pm
You would think some snow would survive the summer looking at it now as there is tons of snow in there. Coire dubh looking as loaded as I’ve ever seen it . It’s a shame all that snow isn’t being utilised by skiers and snowboarders .
Great comparisons between this winter and summer . I only know them covered in snow .
lochaberadmin
4th April 2026 5:24 pm
Coire Dubh has caught the snow quite well over the past few weeks. Lets see how long it last.