A WINTER TEMPERATURE INVERSION

 

The Fiacaill Choire Sneachda just poking out of 2the inversion

We head into March with possibly the best winter conditions of the season to come. A sustained, very cold spell with a good dump of snow forecast,  especially here in the Cairngorms. Of course I always state, every year, that March is the finest month in winter. Look back a few weeks ago at my post stating this. 

Last Friday, 3rd March, was a stunning day to be out on the high Cairngorms.  We had a temperature inversion (which is its correct name, not a cloud inversion as most folk state)

Braeriach above the clouds

It was cloudy and poor visibility around 800m when I set out. There had been a few cm's more of overnight snow. It was certainly looking promising for clear skies if I got up to the higher tops. At 1000m I could feel warmth  and see the sun through the thinning cloud. Always an exciting moment. 

Put of the cloud at 1100m

A temperature inversion is cold air sinking into the glens and straths. The Cairngorms, especially,  get their fair share of these wonderful conditions. With the Cairngorms forming U shaped valleys the air easily slides into the glens at the bottom. These conditions come about when we have a high pressure system, with little or no wind on the tops. When the right conditions prevail the cold air sinks, pushing the warm air above. Hence the name, Temperature Inversion. 

Looking into Strath Nethy 

The cloud top was around 1100m. Only the highest summits of the Cairngorms were poking through into clear blue skies and warm sun.

The summit tor of Bheinn Mheadoin just out of the cloud

There was an excellent cover of snow above 850m. At times it was tricky to distinguish snow covered plateau or a layer of cloud. My favourite moment was the summit tor of Beinn Mheadhoin started poking out of all the cloud. Wonderful. 

Cairn Toul & Sgor an Lochain Uaine

Coire an t-Sneachda

I hadn't taken any landscape lenses on Friday,  just my large telephoto lens of 100-400mm. These first images were all taken with this lens. You can shoot landscapes with any lens. What's the old saying? The best camera and lens are the ones you have brought.

Angels Ridge, Sgor an Lochain Uaine above a sea of cloud

Braeriach from Cairn Gorm

The next few images are out of the mobile phone camera.

Fog bow

Rime ice on the Cairn Gorm weather station

Ben Macdui & Braeriach plateau from Cairn Gorm

Beinn Mheadhoin from Cairn Gorm 

Whilst all the folk on planks were skiing in the thick, poor visibility cloud below 1100m, I was basking in bright sunshine, amazing views and solitude for much of the day. Sunglasses and sunscreen essential kit!

Beinn Macdui

This weekend I was due to guide  a 2 day winter skills course. Unfortunately my client picked up an injury and had to cancel last minute. I definitely recommend that everyone booking on courses and days out should have accident and cancellation insurance. 

Plenty of rime ice

Looking north to Strathspey in the inversion 

Rime ice & Inversion

Beautiful snow textures

I still have plenty of midweek dates available in March. If you're thinking of getting out this winter then you will most probably have the finest snow conditions all winter. You may even get some wonderful sunshine thrown in.