Snow Cover and Climate Change on Cairngorm Mountain: A Report for the Cairngorms National Park Authority

This document contains a report on the historical changes in snow depth and days of snow on Cairngorm Mountain and how snow may respond to climate change, extending a previous assessment from 2019. The report finds a decrease in observed maximum and average snow depth since the winter of 1983-84, with maximum snow depth decreasing by about 10cm and average by about 3cm. There's also been a decrease in days with specific snow depths, especially for shallower depths, by about 10 days since 1983. Mean monthly snow depth has dropped in January and February, though other months show different trends. Future projections suggest a likely decline in snow cover days per year from the 2030s, with temperatures expected to continue increasing and more heat energy input on ground surfaces. While some years may still have snow comparable to the past, overall, warming will likely decrease snow cover and depth on Cairngorm Mountain.