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2009
Sun 22nd Nov		 Overnight hail storms above 300m leaving thin cover above 800m soon thawing during the day Above tops First snowfall dates
2008 28th Oct
2007 19th Nov
2006 18th Nov
2005 25th Nov
2004 13th Nov
2003 21st Oct
2002 17th Oct
2001 8th Nov
Fri 27th Nov  Thin cover above 1000m 1000m
Sat 28th Nov Heavy overnight snowfall leaving a good cover (5cm at Tal y Waen 300m) above 200m. Thawing to 400m during the day 800m
Sun 29th Nov 2009 Covering of fresh snow above 600m. Further snow showers overnight and throughout the day.  900m
Wed 2nd Dec 2009 Patchy cover above 700m 1100m
Thur 3rd Dec 2009 Further light overnight snow showers. Snow cover above 600m most on Carneddau 700m
Fri 4th Dec  2009 Good snow cover on Carneddau above 600m, more patchy elsewhere. 1100m
Sat 5th Dec 2009 Overnight heavy rain at all levels reducing the existing snowpack. Patchy snow cover remains above 700m  Above tops Compacted snow on upper Pyg track making crampons useful.  Today's pictures
Sun 6th Dec  2009 Overnight heavy rain at all levels further reducing existing snowpack. Patchy snow cover remains above 800m  1100m
Mon 7th Dec 2009 Further heavy rain overnight and this morning at all levels. Patches of snow remain above 800m Above tops
Wed 9th Dec 2009 Snow patches above 800m Above tops
Tue 15th Dec 2009 Patches of old firm snow above 800m, dusting of fresh snow above 900m 900m
Thur 17th Dec 2009 Snowfall overnight and this morning leaving a light covering of fresh snow above 700m. Patches of old snow above 800m 700m
Fri 18th Dec 2009 Further light snowfall overnight. Thin covering of fresh snow above 600m. Patches of old snow above 800m 100m
Tue Dec 22nd Dec 2009 Covering of fresh unconsolidated snow and graupel above 300m. Ice forming above 300m 600m Today's pictures from Cwm Cneifion. Parties on The Ramp and Tower slabs, Little or no ice on Clogwyn Du
Fri 25th Dec 2009 Covering (up to 30cm)of powdery snow above 300m. Ice forming above 300m. Light rain at lower levels by evening 600m rising to 900m Today's pictures from Elidir Fawr
Mon 28th Dec 2009 Snow cover above 600m. Sharp frost this morning after the thaw of the last couple of days has firmed up the surface of the remaining snowpack. Firm crust above underlying unconsolidated graupel   sea level rising to 600m Today's pictures from Foel Goch
Tue 29th Dec 2009 Snowfall throughout the day above 400m, mainly light, drifting in the NE gale force winds 600m
Wed 30th dec 2009 Snowfall throughout the day above 400m, mainly light, drifting in the NE gale force winds 400m
Thur 31st Dec 2009 Good snow cover above 300m. Deep (knee-thigh) in places  sheltered from NE winds of last few days. Icy on exposed ridges, crampons and ice axes required 200
-400m		 Today's pictures from Y Garn
Fri 1st Jan 2010 Further occasional light snow showers throughout the day. Good snow cover above 300m. Deep (knee-thigh) in places  sheltered from NE winds of last few days. Icy on exposed ridges, crampons and ice axes required sea level
rising to 400m
Sat 2nd Jan 2010 Further occasional light snow showers throughout the day. Good snow cover above 300m. Deep (knee-thigh) in places  sheltered from previous NE winds. Icy on exposed ridges, crampons and ice axes required sea level
rising to 400m
Sun 3rd Jan 2010 Strong -gale force N-NE winds have transported the fresh snow of the last few days. Windslab deposited on slopes SE through S to SW aspect above 800m.
Avalanches were reported yesterday at the top of the PYG track (S-SE aspect) thankfully with no casualties. Good snow cover remains above 200m. Icy on exposed ridges, crampons and ice axes required		 sea level
rising to 300m		 blue skies and cold temperatures
Mon 4th Jan 2010 Good snow cover above 200m. Windslab on slopes SE through S to SW aspect above 800m.Icy on exposed ridges, crampons and ice axes required sea level Llyn Ogwen and Idwal frozen. Today's pictures from Y Garn
Tue 5th Jan 2010 Heavy snow this morning and throughout the day at all levels (15cm). Further windslab loading of slopes, mainly SE through S to SW aspect, but also other sheltered locations, above 600m  sea level Today's pictures from cwm Idwal
Fri 8th Jan 2010 Snow cover at all levels. Areas of unstable snow exist on many aspects above 700m. Greatest accumulations on SE through S to SW aspect. Icy on exposed ridges, crampons and ice axes required. All levels Another stunning winters day. Today's pictures from  snowholing trip
Sun 10th Jan 2010 Snow cover at all levels. Few light snow showers this afternoon. Snow drifting in the strong E winds. Areas of unstable windslab continue to build above 800m. Greatest accumulations on S through W to NW aspect.
Icy on exposed ridges, crampons and ice axes required.		 All levels Today's pictures from Tryfan
Tue 12th Jan 2010 Snow cover at all levels. Significant drifting in strong SE winds. Unstable windslab continues to build in sheltered locations. Greatest accumulations on SW W and N aspects. Icy on exposed ridges, crampons and ice axes required. 300m Today's pictures of Idwal ice
Wed 13th Jan 2010 Overnight snowfall together with strong SE winds have led to significant drifting (8ft drift outside Tal y Waen) 
Unstable windslab exists in sheltered locations, greatest accumulations on SW W and N aspects. Likely avalanche release during the forecast thaw of the next couple of days.
Icy on exposed ridges, crampons and ice axes required.		 200m rising to 500m Tal y Waen today
Thur 14th Jan 2010 Snow cover at all levels. A slightly milder day with no further snowfall. Unstable windslab exists in sheltered locations, greatest accumulations on SW W and N aspects. Avalanches may occur in these locations as the temperatures rise during the day tomorrow.
Icy on exposed ridges, and trampled paths, crampons and ice axes required.		 600m Today's pictures of more Idwal ice
Fri 15th Jan 2010 A mild day with heavy rain this morning has led to the expected avalanches( two large ones reported, above Aber Falls  and the slopes of YGarn above Nant Peris)
Snow cover, patchy at lower levels, remains above 200m, thawing gradually		 Rising above tops
Sat 16th Jan 2010 Heavy overnight rain. Patchy snow cover remains above 300m, greatest accumulations on SW W and N aspects. Wet snowpack at all levels gradually thawing. Above tops
Sun 17th Jan 2010 Patchy snow cover above 300m, greatest accumulations on SW W and N aspects. Wet snowpack at all levels gradually thawing. 800m rising above tops Today's pictures from Cwm Cneifion
Away in Scotland no snow report Scotland pictures
Sat 30th Jan 2010 Sprinkling of fresh snow this morning above 200m. Patches of hard névé above 500m. Larger snowfields on N facing slopes above 700m.
Ice forming at all levels. 
Snow patches, summit slopes, and icy paths all requiring crampons and ice axe		 All levels Today's pictures from Cwm Cneifion
Sun 31st Jan 2010 Heavy snow showers throughout the day at all levels. Mainly powder and graupel but some soft windslab build up in areas sheltered from the strong NW winds above 900m.
Fresh snow above 300m. Areas of underlying névé above 500m. 
Ice forming at all levels. 
Snow patches, summit slopes, and icy paths all requiring crampons and ice axe		 200m rising to 500m Upper PYG track a continuous snow slope  with a small cornice formation at the top. 
Today's pictures from Snowdon
Mon 1st Feb 2010 Fresh snow above 300m. Areas of underlying névé above 500m. Gradual thaw setting in below 900m
Ice forming at all levels. 
Summit slopes, and icy paths requiring crampons and ice axe		 500m rising to 900m
Tue 2nd Feb 2010 Heavy overnight rain overnight and throughout the day has reduced the existing snowpack to patches of névé above 500m and larger snowfields on mainly N facing slopes above 700m above tops
Wed 3rd Feb 2010 Light snowfall this morning above 300m soon turning to rain at all levels.
Patchy snow cover above 400m. Larger areas of névé on mainly N facing slopes above 700m		 500m rising above tops
Thur 4th Feb 2010 Further light rainfall during the day. Patchy snow cover above 400m. Larger areas of névé on mainly N facing slopes above 700m. Areas of icy ground on the tops Above tops
Sun 7th Feb 2010 Frost this morning at all levels. Patchy snow cover above 400m. Larger areas of névé snowfields above 700m. Some thawing of areas in the sun, otherwise icy ground on the tops with very hard snow requiring crampons and ice axe rising to 400m Today's pictures from Black Ladders
Mon 8th Feb 2010 Patchy snow cover above 400m. Larger areas of névé snowfields above 700m. Icy ground on the tops with very hard snow requiring crampons and ice axe 300m
Tue 9th Feb 2010 Few flakes of fresh snow during the day.Patchy snow cover above 400m. Larger areas of névé snowfields above 700m. Icy ground on the tops with very hard snow requiring crampons and ice axe 300m
Wed 10th Feb 2010 Patchy snow cover above 400m. Larger areas of névé snowfields above 700m. Icy ground on the tops with very hard snow requiring crampons and ice axe 400m Steep lapse rate in the dry air -6degC at 1000m some light hoar frost build up above 800m. 
Today's pictures from Black Ladders
Thur 11th Feb 2010 Patchy snow cover above 400m. Larger areas of névé snowfields above 700m. Some thawing of areas exposed to the sun. Icy ground on the tops with very hard snow requiring crampons and ice axe. 500m Today's pictures from Crib Goch
Sat 13th Feb 2010 Sprinkling of fresh snow overnight above 600m. Patchy snow cover above 400m. Larger areas of névé snowfields above 700m. Some thawing of areas exposed to the sun. Icy ground on the tops with very hard snow requiring crampons and ice axe. 600m
Sun 14th Feb 2010 Sprinkling of fresh snow overnight above 600m. Further light snowfall this afternoon above 600m, heavier later above 900m. Patchy snow cover above 400m. Larger areas of névé snowfields above 700m. Icy ground on the tops with very hard snow requiring crampons and ice axe. 600m rising to 1000m Today's pictures from Cwm Glas and Clogwyn y Garnedd
Mon 15th Feb 2010 Overnight rain at all levels turning to snow above 800m. Further snowfall throughout the day above 600m.leaving 10cm fresh snow on the tops by end of daylight hours.
Underlying névé above 700m, otherwise patches above 400m. Still icy ground in places on the tops requiring crampons and ice axe.		 800m Today's pictures from cwm Cneifion and Idwal
Wed 17th Feb 2010 Sharp frost this morning at all levels. Snow cover above 500m. 20cm of fresh snow on the tops with underlying areas of old snow above 700m. Icy ground and paths above 300m 400m Stunning winters day
Today's pictures from Y Garn
Thur 18th Feb 2010 Sharp frost this morning at all levels. Snow cover above 500m. 20cm of fresh snow on the tops with underlying areas of old snow above 700m. Further light snow showers  late afternoon above 300m. Icy ground and paths above 300m 300m
Fri 19th Feb 2010 Heavy snowfall this morning at all levels, with significant accumulations. Some unstable soft windslab build up in areas sheltered from the moderate/fresh SW winds above 700m.  Underlying areas of old snow above 700m. 300m Today's pictures from the Pillar of Elidir
Sat 20th Feb 2010 Fresh snow above 200m. Significant accumulations above 600m in areas sheltered from the SW winds. Cornice build up, and unstable soft windslab, on NE through E to SE facing slopes. Underlying areas of old snow above 700m. 300m rising to 600m Another good winters day Today's pictures from Carnedd Dafydd
Sun 21st Feb 2010 Further snowfall at all levels early this morning.  
Fresh snow lying above 200m. Significant accumulations above 400m especially in areas sheltered from the SW winds. Cornice build up, and unstable soft windslab, on NE through E to SE facing slopes. Underlying areas of old snow above 700m.		 300m rising to 600m Knee to thigh deep in Cwm Glas Today's pictures
Mon 22nd Feb 2010 An easterly gale this morning has redistributed the deep fresh snow of the last few days. 
Snow cover above 200m. Cornice build up, and unstable  windslab, on SW through W to NW facing slopes above 500m. Underlying areas of old snow above 700m. Icy ground on ridges and tops exposed to the E wind requiring crampons and ice axe.		 300m rising to 500m Forgot the camera today so no photos
Tue 23rd Feb 2010 SE gale throughout the day, further snowfall at dusk
Cornice build up, and unstable  windslab, on SW through W to N facing slopes above 500m. Underlying areas of old snow above 700m. Icy ground on ridges and tops exposed to the SE wind requiring crampons and ice axe.
Warmer temperatures forecast for overnight and tomorrow morning are likely to lead to release of unstable slopes.		 300m
Wed 24th Feb 2010 Overnight snowfall at all levels, drifting in the E gale, turning to rain later. Higher temperatures by the morning and throughout the day thawing the existing snowpack.
Patchy snow cover remains between 300and 700m, full snow cover above 700m with underlying areas of névé .
 Above tops
Thur 25th Feb 2010 Patchy snow cover remains between 300 and 700m, full snow cover above 700m with underlying areas of névé .  1000m Today's pictures from Cwm Cneifion and Devils Kitchen
Fri 26th Feb 2010 Patchy snow cover remains between 300 and 700m, full snow cover above 700m with underlying areas of névé. 
Snow firming up in today's lower temperatures, especially on W facing windward slopes above 900m.		 700m Today's pictures from Llech Du
Sun 28th Feb 2010 Patchy snow cover remains between 300 and 700m, firm full snow cover above 700m. Light snow shower this evening around dusk. 800m
Mon 1st March 2010 Patchy snow cover remains between 300 and 700m, full snow cover above 700m. Firm after this mornings colder temperatures. A sprinkling of fresh snow above 300m with some drifting at higher levels in the W winds 300m rising to 800m Today's pictures from Clogwyn Du
Wed 3rd March 2010 Patchy snow cover remains above 400m, full snow cover above 700m on N facing slopes. Icy slopes above 800m requiring crampons and ice axe. 800m
Thur 4th March 2010 Patchy snow cover remains above 400m, full snow cover above 700m on N facing slopes. Icy slopes above 700m requiring crampons and ice axe. Some isolated pockets of windslab mainly on NW facing slopes above 800m. 300m Yet another stunning winters day.Today's pictures from Cwm Cneifion
Fri 5th March 2010 Patchy snow cover remains above 400m, full snow cover above 700m on N facing slopes. Icy paths this morning. Icy slopes above 700m requiring crampons and ice axe. Some isolated pockets of windslab mainly on NW facing slopes above 800m. 300m rising to 900m A number of areas of wet snow avalanche debris above the Pyg Track. Today's pictures from Yr Wyddfa
Sat 6th March 2010 Patchy snow cover remains above 400m, full snow cover above 700m on N facing slopes 1000m
Sun 7th March 2010 Patchy snow cover remains above 400m, full snow cover above 700m on N facing slopes. Icy paths this morning. All snow slopes firm and icy, after yesterdays thaw and today's freeze,  requiring crampons and ice axe. Some thawing of sun exposed slopes by the afternoon Sea level rising to 300m Yet another even more stunning day Today's pictures from Clogwyn y Ddysgyl and Crib Goch
Mon 8th March 2010 Patchy snow cover remains above 400m, full snow cover above 700m on N facing slopes. Icy paths this morning. All snow slopes firm and icy,  requiring crampons and ice axe. Some thawing of sun exposed slopes by the afternoon Sea level rising to 300m Yet another  stunning day Today's pictures from lliwedd
Wed 10th March 2010 Patchy snow cover remains above 400m, full snow cover above 700m on N facing slopes.  Snow slopes firm and icy above 700m,  requiring crampons and ice axe.  500m rising to 800m Today's pictures from Ysgolion Duon
Thur 11th March 2010 Patchy snow cover remains above 400m, full snow cover above 700m on N facing slopes.  Snow slopes firm and icy above 700m,  requiring crampons and ice axe. Some thawing of sun exposed slopes by the afternoon 300m rising to 500m Today's pictures from Ysgolion Duon
Sat 13th March 2010 Patchy snow cover remains above 400m, full snow cover above 700m on N facing slopes. Some softening of the snowpack in the warmer temperatures, compact paths still icy requiring crampons and ice axe. Above tops Devils Kitchen path still icy in places requiring crampons. Today's pictures from Cwm Cneifion
Sun-Wed 14th-17th March 2010 Patchy snow cover remains above 400m, full snow cover above 700m on N facing slopes. Some softening of the snowpack in the warmer temperatures, compact paths still icy requiring crampons and ice axe. Above tops
Thur 18th March 2010 Rain at all levels this afternoon. Patchy wet snow cover remains above 500m. Still large areas of snow above 700m. Compacted paths icy Above tops
Fri 19th March 2010 Patchy wet snow cover remains above 500m. Still large areas of snow above 700m. Underlying névé  firm, and compacted paths still icy. Above tops
Sat 20th March 2010 Further rain at all levels this morning. Patchy wet snow cover remains above 500m. Still large areas of snow above 700m. Underlying névé  firm, and compacted paths still icy. Above tops
Sun 21st -Thur 25th March 2010 Further spells. of rain at all levels throughout the period. Patchy wet snow cover remains above 600m. Still large patches of snow above 700m, on N faces with firm underlying névé . Above tops
Sorry no further snow report until Easter, colder conditions look set to return next week
Fri 9th April 2010 Patchy cover of soft wet snow remains above 700m. N facing gully lines still complete Above tops
Sat April 10th- Sun May 2nd 2010 Small patches of névé above 800m Above tops
Mon 3rd May 2010 Sprinkling of fresh snow overnight above 700m, gradually thawing during the day. Patches of névé remain above 800m 1100m
Tue 4th- Mon 10th May Small  patches of névé remain above 800m Above tops
Tue 11th May 2010 Heavy snowfall this morning above 700m leaving 5cm fresh snow, thawing during the afternoon. Small  patches of névé remain above 800m 1100m
Add snow report to your favourites
For any snow historians:     
snow report 08/09
snow report 07/08
snow report 06/07
snow report 05/06  pictures 
snow report 04/05  pictures
snow report 03/04  pictures
snow report 02/03  pictures
snow report 01/02
snow report 00/01
snow report 99/00
snow report 98/99  
Snowdon Web cam click for link to current snowdon weather stats Web cam shows current view (or not) of Snowdon from Elidir Fach. Click on image for link to Snowdonia Weather Station project which gives current summit temperature and wind speed (Summit figures not available whilst station is under reconstruction). 
The lower image shows what it can look like on a good winters day.

Countryside Council for Wales Automatic site at 500m sited above Llyn Llydaw on Snowdon

Met office Snowdonia 3 day forecast

Ogwen Valley Rescue Team weather station  

Mynydd Llandegai weather station

Metcheck 72 hr forecast (gives current and predicted freezing level)
 
BBC 5 day forecast for Caernarfon
Notes: This report is intended as an indicator of the likely snow & ice conditions to be encountered in northern Snowdonia . We do not have the resources to produce this report on a daily basis, but will endeavour to update it as frequently as possible. All information is based on observation, either by our instructor on the hill, or by observation from Tal y Waen. Winter conditions can vary rapidly, so an up to date weather forecast should always be consulted. One which gives freezing level, wind speed and direction at 1000m will give a good indicator of likely snow conditions. See weather links
Add snow report to your favourites
 
  Recommended reading:
If you are interested in snow conditions and avalanches then you will find these useful:-
Snow Sense: a Guide to Evaluating Snow Avalanche Hazard 
Jill A. Fredston, Doug Fesler
  Amazon price: £7.95
A consise guide to recognising, evaluating and avoiding potential snow avalanche hazards.
A Chance in a Million?: Scottish Avalanches
 Bob Barton, Blyth Wright 
  Amazon price: £14.95
Entertaining (morbid?) narrative on avalanche accidents since 1899 in Scotland and the rest of the UK including Wales. Extensive information on snow formation the effect of climate and terrain on avalanches. If the worst happens what to do if you get caught in one

Also:
Welsh Winter Climbs 
Malcolm Campbell, Andy Newton
Amazon price: £14.99
The definitive guide to winter climbing in North Wales		 Welsh Winter Climbs
  See the High Trek Library for more books

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Copyright © 1999 [High Trek Snowdonia]. All rights reserved.
Revised: May 12, 2010
High Trek Snowdonia
Tal y Waen
Deiniolen
Gwynedd
Wales
LL55 3NA
Tel:01286 871232
Fax: 01286 870576
Email mail@hightrek.co.uk 
 www.climbing-wales.co.uk  www.snowdonia-cottage.co.uk  www.wales-guide.com