Fewest avalanches recorded in almost 40 years
Six mountain areas - Lochaber, Glen Coe, Creag Meagaidh, Torridon and Northern and Southern Cairngorms - are monitored for avalanche risk from between mid-December to mid-April.
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) has posted a provisional figure of 42 for the season, with its team describing snow conditions this winter as "lean".
SAIS recorded 172 avalanches last season. Its highest recorded number, 350, was reported in 2013-14.
Co-ordinator Mark Diggins told BBC Scotland News in February that for the first time in nearly 20 years there had been periods during the latest season when SAIS had issued no daily avalanche hazard reports because snow was so scarce.
In pictures: Scotland's avalanche season
Avalanche in Scottish mountains caught on camera
SAIS' Creag Meagaidh forecaster said anecdotally it had been the "leanest" season for snow for the 1,130m (3,707ft) mountain and surrounding area in more than 30 years.
Only 13 recorded avalanches were recorded compared to 50 in 2023-24.
There were still occasions over this winter when people were caught out.
In February, volunteer mountain rescuers went to the aid of climbers carried off by avalanches in Coire an t-Sneachda - Coire of the Snow - in the Northern Cairngorms.
Two mountaineers were injured after an overhanging ledge of snow - called a cornice - collapsed, resulting in an avalanche.
Three climbers were later caught up in an avalanche triggered by human activity.
SAIS said across Scotland's highest mountains there remained isolated areas of snow above 1,000m (3,281ft), on mostly north to east facing slopes, where climbers could slip and fall if not careful.
SAIS was set up in 1988 and has grown from covering a couple of locations to six.
It covers the UK's highest mountains, including Ben Nevis in Lochaber and Ben Macdui in the Cairngorms.
SAIS forecasts are used by hillwalkers, climbers and snow sports enthusiasts to plan their visits to the hills.
Mountain rescue teams also consult the forecasts when on callouts.
SAIS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Yahoo
Met Office maps show Storm Floris weather warnings as 90mph winds hit UK
Storm Floris has arrived in the UK, with strong winds and rain across northern England and Scotland on Monday. The UK has been battered by 90mph winds as weather warnings are in force after the arrival of Storm Floris. A Met Office amber weather warning for wind is in place until 10pm on Monday (4 August) across central and northern Scotland, while a less severe yellow warning lasts until 6am on Tuesday (5 August) and covers the north of England and Northern Ireland. A separate yellow warning for wind for the Orkney and Shetland islands of Scotland begins at midnight and lasts until 8am on Tuesday. On Monday morning, Network Rail Scotland said winds had reached speeds of 90mph in the west of the country as Floris caused widespread travel disruption, with passengers later warned disruption to the rail network is likely to continue into Tuesday. A number of camper vans were blown over by gusts on the A87 road between Broadford and Portreee on the Isle of Skye, while the A96 in Aberdeenshire was closed in both directions after a number of trees fell near Old Rayne between Huntly and Inverurie due to several fallen trees. ScotRail advised anyone with garden equipment such as trampolines to keep them secure so they don't blow on to railway tracks. Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: 'Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40 to 50mph, with 60 to 70mph more likely at higher elevations and around exposed coasts in Scotland." He said there was as small chance some locations could record gusts of 85mph. The warning zone covers Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England. The Met Office warned of the risk of injuries and danger to life from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties, as well as the potential for damage to trees and buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs. Travel disruption likely Train operator LNER told passengers not to travel north of Newcastle on Monday and Avanti West Coast has advised passengers not to travel north of Preston, warning it will be 'heavily impacted' by the weather. Several rail lines have been closed since midday on Monday, with all other routes experiencing a reduced timetable and longer journey times, Network Rail said. Edinburgh – Fife/Perth/Dundee, Perth – Dundee/Aberdeen/Inverness and the West Highland Line are among the routes that closed at noon. Ferry operator CalMac has also issued a series of cancellations ahead of the storm. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo said it had cancelled its Monday show due to the storm. Scottish justice secretary Angela Constance told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland news programme: 'Storm Floris is well and truly with us today and it's imperative that people follow advice because there will be significant disruption on our travel network.' She said anyone who has to travel is likely to face disruption and should plan ahead, adding: 'Consider this a winter journey as opposed to a summer journey. 'Please make sure you've got warm clothes, food, water, plenty of fuel and that your mobile phone is charged up.' Motorists have been urged to slow down in poor weather and avoid exposed Highland and coastal routes. Rod Dennis, from the RAC, said: "This unseasonable bout of stormy weather will mean drivers in the north and west of the UK need to take extra care at the start of next week. "It's the height of the holiday season, so those towing trailers and caravans, as well as those with roof and tent boxes, must ensure their loads are properly secured." Shaun Jones, from the AA, added: "If you're planning a journey - especially through exposed or rural areas - it's worth checking the latest forecast, allow extra time, and be prepared for the unexpected. "Keep both hands on the wheel, especially on open roads and motorways, and be mindful of high-sided vehicles and cyclists who may be more affected by gusts. "Watch out for fallen branches or debris, particularly in rural areas - this could be telltale signs of a fallen tree ahead." The Met Office issued advice on how people can prepare for strong winds and heavy rain, including checking fences and roof tiles are secure, securing outdoor furniture and clearing guttering and drains of leaves and debris. Other advice includes closing and securely fastening doors and windows, particularly those on the windward side of the house. Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024-25 naming season, which runs from early September to late August, and January's Storm Eowyn was the most recent. Named storms are more frequent in late autumn and winter but are "not uncommon" for summer, the Met Office said. The forecast rain will not counteract the impacts of the driest start of the year since 1976 but will provide some short-term relief, said Environment Agency (EA) national drought manager Stuart Sampson. The UK has experienced three heatwaves so far this summer, which left four regions of England in drought. London and the South East Monday and Tuesday Outbreaks of rain, heavy in places, moving east through the afternoon, followed by dry and clearer conditions later. Maximum temperature 23°C. Any lingering cloud across Kent at first soon clearing. A dry night to follow for all with long clear spells, but the brisk breeze will persist throughout. Minimum temperature 11°C. On Tuesday, rather windy with sunny spells and dry for most, although an isolated fleeting shower is just possible. Winds gradually ease through the evening with long clear spells developing. Feeling fresher. Maximum temperature 23°C. South West Monday and Tuesday Turning unsettled with Storm Floris bringing wet and windy conditions. Rain gradually clearing southeastwards through the afternoon. A muggy start but feeling fresher later. Maximum temperature 24°C. A drier end to the day with late sunny spells. Then, a mixture of clear spells and the odd shower, with winds slowly easing throughout the night. A cooler night. Minimum temperature 8°C. Breezy on Tuesday with a mixture of sunny spells and a few showers in the morning, though most places staying dry. Feeling fresher in the northwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 22°C. Midlands Monday and Tuesday Rain gradually clearing southeastwards through the afternoon leaving sunnier spells. A muggy start but feeling fresher later. Maximum temperature 23°C. A drier end to the day with plenty of late sunshine. Then, a mixture of clear spells and perhaps the odd shower, with winds slowly easing throughout the night. Cooler. Minimum temperature 10°C. Tuesday will be breezy with a mixture of sunny spells and a few showers in the far north, these gradually easing into the evening with winds turning lighter. Feeling fresher than Monday. Maximum temperature 20°C. North East Monday and Tuesday The rain from Storm Floris will clear to largely dry, bright conditions in the afternoon but winds remaining very blustery. Maximum temperature 21°C. Clear spells Monday night and mostly dry in the east, cloudier at times across the Pennines with a few passing showers, and blustery winds continuing. Minimum temperature 10 °C. Continuing windy on Tuesday with sunny spells and occasional blustery showers. The winds will eventually begin to ease later in the evening with showers also tending to fade away. Feeling fresher. Maximum temperature 19°C. North West Monday and Tuesday Storm Floris bringing unseasonably strong winds, accompanied by heavy rain, turning brighter through the afternoon with sunny spells and blustery showers. A muggy start but feeling fresher later. Maximum temperature 21°C. A drier end to the day with late sunny spells. Then, a mixture of clear spells and showers with winds slowly easing throughout the night. Cooler overnight. Minimum temperature 10°C. Breezy on Tuesday with a mixture of sunny spells and scattered showers, these gradually easing into the evening with winds turning lighter. Maximum temperature 21°C. Scotland Monday and Tuesday Storm Floris will bring gale to severe gale winds across the area, and perhaps storm force gusts. Storm Floris clearing north from Scotland in the evening, easing the very strong winds with the last of the gales leaving late evening. Showers more frequent in the west. Minimum temperature 11°C. Brisk west to northwest winds on Tuesday bringing sunshine and showers. Maximum temperature 21°C. Northern Ireland Monday and Tuesday Storm Floris will bring strong, and initially gale force, winds across country. Maximum temperature 19 °C. Fresh to strong west to northwest winds feeding a run of showers across Northern Ireland in the evening with outbreaks focused to the west of Lough Neagh. Minimum temperature 9°C. Fresh west to northwest winds bringing showers and brighter spells across the country on Tuesday, with outbreaks more frequent during the morning. Maximum temperature 20°C. Wales Monday and Tuesday Storm Floris bringing unseasonably strong winds, especially in the north, accompanied by heavy rain. Turning brighter through the afternoon with sunny spells and blustery showers. A muggy start but feeling fresher later. Maximum temperature 22°C. A drier end to the day with late sunny spells. Then, a mixture of clear spells and the odd shower, with winds slowly easing throughout the night. A cooler night. Minimum temperature 8°C. Breezy on Tuesday with a mixture of sunny spells and a few showers, though most places staying dry. Feeling fresher in the northwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 21°C. Solve the daily Crossword
Los Angeles Times
04-08-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Storm Floris batters Scotland with 90 mph winds, disrupts travel and festivals
LONDON — Authorities in Scotland canceled trains, closed parks and warned people to tie down backyard trampolines as an unusually strong summer storm toppled trees, felled power lines and disrupted travel across northern Britain. The U.K.'s Meteorological Office on Monday issued an 'amber' wind warning in Scotland for Storm Floris, meaning there is potential risk to lives and property, especially from large waves in coastal areas. Network Rail Scotland said wind gusts of up to 90 mph (145kph) had brought down trees across lines and damaged overhead wires. More than 22,000 properties were without electricity, operator Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said. After reports of mobile homes being blown over on the Isle of Skye off Scotland's northwest coast, police Scotland said that 'anyone with campervans should remain parked in sheltered areas until the wind speed reduces.' The wind and heavy rain hit at the busiest time of year for tourism, with hundreds of thousands of people flocking to the Edinburgh Fringe and other arts festivals. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo, one of the city's biggest tourist draws, cancelled Monday's scheduled outdoor performance by massed ranks of bagpipers and drummers at Edinburgh Castle. Train companies canceled services across much of Scotland and some ferry crossings were also scrapped. Floris, named by weather authorities, also hit parts of Northern Ireland, Wales and northern England, the Met Office said. Scottish government minister Angela Constance urged people to be careful if traveling and 'consider this a winter journey as opposed to a summer journey.' 'Please make sure you've got warm clothes, food, water, plenty of fuel and that your mobile phone is charged up,' she said. Train operator ScotRail urged 'anyone with garden equipment, such as tents, trampolines or furniture, to secure items so that they don't blow onto the tracks and interfere with lineside equipment.'
The Hill
04-08-2025
- The Hill
Storm Floris batters Scotland with 90 mph winds, disrupts travel and festivals
LONDON (AP) — Authorities in Scotland canceled trains, closed parks and warned people to tie down backyard trampolines as an unusually strong summer storm toppled trees, felled power lines and disrupted travel across northern Britain. The U.K.'s Meteorological Office on Monday issued an 'amber' wind warning in Scotland for Storm Floris, meaning there is potential risk to lives and property, especially from large waves in coastal areas. Network Rail Scotland said wind gusts of up to 90 mph (145kph) had brought down trees across lines and damaged overhead wires. More than 22,000 properties were without electricity, operator Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said. After reports of mobile homes being blown over on the Isle of Skye off Scotland's northwest coast, police Scotland said that 'anyone with campervans should remain parked in sheltered areas until the wind speed reduces.' The wind and heavy rain hit at the busiest time of year for tourism, with hundreds of thousands of people flocking to the Edinburgh Fringe and other arts festivals. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo, one of the city's biggest tourist draws, cancelled Monday's scheduled outdoor performance by massed ranks of bagpipers and drummers at Edinburgh Castle. Train companies canceled services across much of Scotland and some ferry crossings were also scrapped. Floris, named by weather authorities, also hit parts of Northern Ireland, Wales and northern England, the Met Office said. Scottish government minister Angela Constance urged people to be careful if traveling and 'consider this a winter journey as opposed to a summer journey.' 'Please make sure you've got warm clothes, food, water, plenty of fuel and that your mobile phone is charged up,' she said. Train operator ScotRail urged 'anyone with garden equipment, such as tents, trampolines or furniture, to secure items so that they don't blow onto the tracks and interfere with lineside equipment.'
