UK Avalanche Alert: Six Scottish Mountain Regions on High Risk List This Week
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) has issued critical avalanche alerts impacting six distinct mountain areas across the United Kingdom. Communities and outdoor enthusiasts are being urged to exercise extreme caution as a significant snow event, colloquially termed a 'snow bomb', approaches the region this weekend.
Full List of Affected Mountain Regions
According to the latest advisory from the SAIS, the following six locations are under formal avalanche warnings, with varying levels of hazard:
- Creag Meagaidh - Moderate hazard rating.
- Glencoe - Low hazard rating.
- Lochaber - Low hazard rating.
- Northern Cairngorms - Considerable hazard rating.
- Southern Cairngorms - Considerable hazard rating.
- Torridon - Low hazard rating.
Detailed Hazard Assessments and Safety Guidance
The SAIS has provided specific, location-based assessments to inform public safety. For the Creag Meagaidh area, where a Moderate hazard is in effect, the service warns that "human triggered avalanches are possible". They emphasise that good visibility and meticulous route selection are paramount, especially on steep slopes. The advice includes maintaining careful group management with adequate spacing to reduce load on vulnerable slopes and utilising natural mountain features like ridges for safer travel.
In the Glencoe and Lochaber regions, both under a Low hazard rating, the risk profile is similar. The SAIS indicates that human-triggered avalanches are generally only a concern from high additional loads, such as multiple people congregating in isolated pockets of very steep, extreme terrain. Only small to medium-sized natural avalanches are deemed possible, leading to a classification of "generally safer travel conditions", though vigilance remains essential.
The situation is more severe in the Cairngorms, where both the Northern and Southern sectors carry a Considerable hazard rating. Here, the SAIS advises that "natural avalanches may occur, in some cases large, in isolated cases very large are possible". Crucially, they note that a load from a single person is likely to trigger an avalanche on some steep slopes. This elevates the necessity for expert hazard evaluation, excellent visibility, and strategic route planning. The service reiterates that careful group management and spacing is vital, and again recommends using protective mountain features for navigation.
Essential Safety Reminder for All Hillgoers
The SAIS underscores a fundamental warning for anyone considering venturing into these mountainous regions. "Mountains can be inhospitable and dangerous places for the ill-prepared", they state, highlighting the potential for dramatic and rapid variations in weather conditions from one hour to the next and between different hills.
Whether an outing is a meticulously planned expedition or a more spontaneous decision, the service strongly advises all individuals to check the latest forecast and avalanche bulletin from the SAIS before departure. Heeding this official guidance is critical for personal safety and the safety of others in the group during this period of elevated avalanche risk across the Scottish Highlands.
