Norrona2015

Nothing here to justify the Met yellow level weather warning, the wind was much stronger earlier in the week yet that didn't merit a warning being issued. Very odd....

Met issue snow and ice weather warnings for most of Scotland for today and Christmas eve. Finally winter gets going: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings/#?tab=map&map=Warnings&zoom=5&lon=-3.50&lat=55.50&fcTime=1482451200

Weather warnings issued for snow and ice for much of Scotland today and tomorrow. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings/#?tab=map&map=Warnings&zoom=5&lon=-3.50&lat=55.50&fcTime=1482451200

A bit breezy with the occasiomal spot of very light rain.

One for the coldies. Link to conditions at Glenshee yesterday:

Snow gates now shut from Braemar up to Glenshee ski centre http://braemarscotland.co.uk/snowgate-webcam/ Happy days!

Snow gates shut from Braemar up to Glenshee ski centre. http://braemarscotland.co.uk/snowgate-webcam/

Glenshee this morning

Meanwhile up in Scotland http://braemarscotland.co.uk/snowgate-webcam/

Dry, chilly start to the day. 3c noted at 06 15 Snow affecting western parts of Aberdeenshire. http://braemarscotland.co.uk/snowgate-webcam/

Snow affecting Drumochter pass https://trafficscotland.org/map/index.aspx?type=26

It does seem odd that the Met haven't issued a weather warning for the Highlands and Islands today. 90mph gust reported on the Isle of Skye, power cuts yet this doesn't merit a warning? Mmmmm

The webcam at the back of Braemar seems to be working again. It might be a tad whiter on Wednesday and Thursday. http://braemarscotland.co.uk/snowgate-webcam/

A very encouraging forecast for Glenshee ski centre: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gfjed570x#?fcTime=1482192000

That image brings back memories of the hell that was winter 2009/10. What felt like non stop snowfall forced a rather reluctant purchase of a snow blower. Instead of shovelling snow off the drive and paths for a few hours a day, the blower dealt with the chaos in half hour. Around 9am on the 8th January 2010 the temperature indicator on the car displayed -25C. The novelty of snow and cold quickly wore off that year...

Storm force winds forecast for the Cairngorms tomorrow. Heavy snow leading to temporary white out conditions on Wednesday. Snow falling to low levels on Thursday and lying. http://www.mwis.org.uk/home

Morning Malcolm, Quite a difference between the BBC forecast for Italy and that of Snow-forecast.com, so thanks for flagging that up.Hoping that the later proves correct as one of the possible destinations for the 7th January trip is in Italy. http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Sestriere/6day/mid As for the BBC going with snow for the eastern Scottish mountains on Friday, there was certainly no snow as I drove through the Lecht ski centre yesterday enroute to Aviemore.The mountains around Cairngorm did appear to have had a recent dusting but they're still a long way from being in a position to open for business.

BBC Weather - winter sports 16th December: European Weather Outlook Following a period of cloud and snow in Austria, the weather is set to return to sun for most of the week ahead. Temperatures are forecast to be between freezing and 5C for the most part, and skiing is likely to be confined largely to the groomed pistes. In Switzerland and France not much has changed in terms of the current weather outlook, with much of the week ahead set to stay the same. There is some good news though, snow is in the long term forecast, but we will keep an eye on this to see how things progress as the week goes on. Across Italy the skies were largely cloudy. However, like much of Europe, it is unlikely that this will deliver any snow in the short term forecast. Good news for Scotland: Friday 16 December is forecast to bring snow to the mountains in the east. This won't be enough to get any skiing under way, but should it arrive, it is at least a positive start. North American Weather Outlook The snowfalls and storm cycles are set to continue across the bulk of the American resorts. The accumulations are steady, ranging up to 20cm per day. Finally things are going to pick up in the Pacific North West and Californian resorts this weekend. Squaw and Heavenly should expect almost a metre of new snow by the weekend followed immediately by two days of clear sunny skies. The weekend is also shaping up to be fantastic in Utah and Montana, with snow falls on Friday of around half a metre for most resorts. In the east things also looking great with daily accumulations of around 10cm set to continue into next week. Over the border in Canada it seems the early season storm cycle has finally come to an end. Resorts in British Columbia can expect sunshine throughout this week. The next storm cycle is already showing on long range forecasts however, with fresh storms rolling in from around 19 December. In the far east Mont Sainte Anne is getting its first real snow falls of the seasons with accumulations of almost half a metre by the weekend.

Met forecasting colder conditions for my location from Monday onwards. Meteogroup forecasting wintry conditions Wednesday evening into Thursday morning.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. UK Airport staff in pre-Christmas strike http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38347283 Hopefully this won't affect the travel plans of anyone on this thread..

Mild, damp and calm. 9c noted at 0615

Snowiest resort in Canada with 16.1 Feet so far this season http://www.revelstokemountainresort.com

If snow and cold is your thing I'd suggest Revelstoke resort BC Canada. An astonishing 16.1 Feet of snow so far this season. The most snow of any Canadian resort. http://www.revelstokemountainresort.com

I'm also planning the first trip of the season on the 7th of January so hopefully the snow starts soon. I don't plan on doing any work during January or February so aiming for at least 3 Euro trips and as many day's on the local Scottish mountains as possible. Well thats the plan anyway..........