In pictures: Scotland's avalanche season

Cairngorm summit weather stationImage source, SAIS Northern Cairngorms
Image caption,

The Cairngorm summit weather station in a picture taken by the Scottish Avalanche Information Service

  • Published

Scotland's latest avalanche forecasting season has come to an end.

Six mountain areas - Lochaber, Glen Coe, Creag Meagaidh, Torridon and Northern and Southern Cairngorms - are monitored for the hazard from mid-December to mid April.

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service's (SAIS) forecasts are used by hillwalkers, climbers and snowsports enthusiasts to plan their visits to the hills.

A provisional figure of 169 avalanches were recorded for the 2023-24 season. The highest number recorded over the last 15 seasons was 350 in 2013-14.

Walkers in CairngormsImage source, SAIS Southern Cairngorms
Image caption,

The Southern Cairngorms is one of six areas assessed for avalanche hazard

Snow patrol dog at LochnagarImage source, SAIS Southern Cairngorms
Image caption,

An SAIS forecaster's dog at Lochnagar

Warning sign on Aonach MorImage source, SAIS Lochaber
Image caption,

A warning sign at Aonach Mor covered in rime ice

Raised footprints on Aonach MorImage source, SAIS Lochaber
Image caption,

Footprints exposed by lighter snow being blown away on the Aonach Mor plateau

High winds blowing waterfalls on Ben NevisImage source, SAIS Lochaber
Image caption,

Strong winds were a feature of the latest season, with these waterfalls on Ben Nevis being blown back up a slope

Creagan Cha-noImage source, SAIS Northern Cairngorms
Image caption,

The north end of Creagan Cha-no in the Northern Cairngorms

Brocken spectreImage source, SAIS Creag Meagaidh
Image caption,

A weather effect called a Brocken spectre pictured at Creag Meagaidh

Avalanche debrisImage source, SAIS Creag Meagaidh
Image caption,

Avalanche debris at Creag Meagaidh

Buachaille Etive MòrImage source, SAIS Glencoe
Image caption,

Buachaille Etive Mòr in a photograph by SAIS Glencoe

View from Creag Dudbh, Beinn EigheImage source, SAIS Torridon
Image caption,

The view looking west from the summit of Creag Dubh, Beinn Eighe

Related topics