Snow Report

Sierra Nevada mountain and snow conditions 1st March 2010

Sierra Nevada mountain and snow conditions 1st March 2010

The mixed, unsettled weather has continued and brought further snow to the Sierra Nevada, however the avalanche dangers are reducing quickly due to the high temperatures in recent days, and large areas of ice occur above 2500m. More heavy snowfalls to come this coming week will make mountain excursions interesting to say the least!

Update on Sierra Nevada mountain conditions 9th Feb 2010

Update on Sierra Nevada mountain conditions 9th Feb 2010

The coming week will see mixed weather. High winds and some snow showers for the next few days followed by heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions for the weekend. Snow level is down to 1800m this morning, will lower tomorrow, before rising to 2000m by the weekend.

High temperatures, ice and windslab conditions

High temperatures, ice and windslab conditions

The long awaited settled spell of weather has arrived and with it unseasonally high temperatures. This has allowed rapid consolidation of the snowpack above 2000m. Large areas of ice exist especially on ridges. On north and east facing slopes windslab has been reported. Varying mountain conditions requiring extreme care.

Warning of ice and avalanche activity in the Sierra Nevada

Warning of ice and avalanche activity in the Sierra Nevada

The recent very strong wind and rains to the Sierra Nevada and the whole of Andalucia have brought fresh snowfall above 1800m. There are two main dangers at this time:
(1) Where the gale force winds have blasted away the snow on exposed ridges and faces there is transparent ice. You may be the best ice [...]

Photo of ridge from Veleta to Mulhacen from Las Alegas 28th Dec 2009

Photo of ridge from Veleta to Mulhacen from Las Alegas 28th Dec 2009

Very little rock shows through in this shot. Deep snow although high temperatures mean that snow consolidation is well underway and some very icy stretches exist.

Heavy snow all week until 27th December above 2700m brings avalanche dangers

Heavy snow all week until 27th December above 2700m brings avalanche dangers

The predicted unsettled weather has arrived and it has been steadily pouring down now for the past two days. The forecast for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day in the high mountains shows no improvement. The snow will be accompanied by high winds, some of between 150km and 190km per hour are predicted over the festive period.

Snow and Ice update 20th December 2009

Snow and Ice update 20th December 2009

The crests of ridges have much transparent ice around. Ice axe and crampons are essential. You can see the amount of snow from this photo taken today from the summit of the Cerro de Caballo and looking into the Rio Lanjaron towards Veleta. Much better than we had anticipated.

More snow for Sierra Nevada improves skiing and mountaineering

More snow for Sierra Nevada improves skiing and mountaineering

At long last we have an unsettled spell this week. Low temperatures and a deep low have brought snow above 1700m. More is set to come tomorrow (Wednesday 15th) and over the forthcoming weekend. A much improved situation will result. Good news for skiers and mountaineers.
In Lanjaron last night temperatures plummeted to a chilly -1. The ski [...]

Snow canons pave the way to ski centre opening next weekend

Snow canons pave the way to ski centre opening next weekend

The low temperatures this week are enabling almost 100 snow canons to build up the snow around the Borreguilles and Rio areas of the Sierra Nevada ski area. Working throughout the day and night they are building on the base that was established last weekend when the first snowfalls of the season arrived. The skiing is hoping to start next weekend 5th and 6th December.