Sceptical

James Madden certainly doesn't.

Is the solar minimum having any effect on global temperatures? July 2019 was the hottest month recorded globally. 2019 is on track to be the joint 2nd warmest year on record. 2015,2016, 2017 and 2018 are the warmest years on record.

Pretty much, that's why were seeing a lot of diversification into other sports, mountain biking being a prime example.

Its not just Scotland ski resorts that are struggling, we are seeing similar issues across the Alps. I guess you might accept there is a problem when one of the five Scottish ski centres go bust. That has almost happened to one in recent times.

Its ALREADY happened. Snowfall across the Scottish mountains has REDUCED by a third in the last 45 years - Met Office.

A 30% reduction in snow over 45 years for the Scottish mountains, is not "tosh". Its a fact.

Well according to NASA, only if you're an astronaut. Any reduction in global temperatures will be negligible.

That's a brave guess given 2 of the worst seasons on record for Scottish skiing have occurred in the last 4 years.

"Its actually a 60% reduction in mountain snow by 2080. Nobody can deny the impact climate change is having on the ski industryaround the world – weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable, snowfall less reliable and temperatures warmer. The Game Changer report also claims that the Scottish ski industry could collapse within as little as 50 years as climate change continues to affect weather patterns – with a predicted 60 per cent reduction in snowfall in Scotland by 2080. It warns there could be “potentially devastating consequences for local economies in the Scottish mountains" As for the 30% figure I made mention of. According to the Met Office, snowfall across the Scottish mountains has reduced by a third over the last 45 years.

With the funicular, apparently finished, I have very little interest making the short trip up to Cairngorm to snowboard. The uplift is prehistoric and the genuinely good riding days are few and far between. I cant see the situation improving as who would invest money into the Scottish ski centres. Mountain snowfall is 30% lower than X amount of years ago. Throwing good money at bad.

High winds and snow for Scotlands mountains. Cairngorm snow forecast for 823 m WWW.SNOW-FORECAST.COM Cairngorm snow forecast for mid-mountain level in the ski resort of Cairngorm, United Kingdom.

Last season was a miserable affair for the Scottish resorts. Cairngorm managed to offer snowsports for just 31 days out of a probable 140. Although not as bad as season 2016/17, the worst on record, last season is still ranked amongst the top 3 poorest since records began. Grim.

My thoughts are based on 50 years of experience of winter in NE Scotland and trends over the last 20 years for UK winters. I suspect, come March 2020, my prediction will be there or there abouts.

Winter 2019/20, for the UK, will generally be another mild and wet affair.

Whats going on with winter? Days of overcast conditions with the temperature permanently stuck at 9c Cairngorm summit a tropical 12.5c

Heavy rain with 0c Yuk!

Winds have picked up and the drive is thawing out at an impressive rate. Next week looks milder of late. Currently 3c, windy with the sun trying to break through the clouds.

Cold, cloudy and calm start. Temp -9.5

Feeling much milder today compared to the previous three mornings. Heavy snow overnight has increased the depth to around 3 inches, deeper at the North side of the house due to drifting early morning. Looking at the sky, it looks like more snowfall is possible. Temp -2c, windy and cloud. Off to pick up a courtesy car, a rear wheel drive BMW. Oh dear.....

The weather's much worse further inland, so can't complain to much. SSE got the power restored quickly so all good, for the time being....

Power restored, snaw easing off. That was impressive snowfall at its peak.

Heavy snaws knocked the power out at the house.

Possibly, the region is being affected by very heavy snow at present. We've just lost power.

Heavy snow has arrived, further inland Glenkindie, Strathdon and Corgarff have been getting hammered since this morning. Temp 1c.

I believe Braemar reached -15.4c overnight.