Somehow, the snow forecast became a little academic in the last few weeks.

There was even enough a few weeks ago to dig this little snow hole at around 400m under Yr Aran. Took us a good 2 hours to get to this stage, but another hour or so would have seen us make the inside big enough to stand up in as we found the limited room at the outset made it hard work. Unfortunately, the big regret for this winter is that we hadn't the overnight gear to make us of it. GUTTED.

Last weekend's decent conditions look set to be followed by further melt on the weekend. While there's still snow on the tops today, even on the lower summits, the weather coming in over the weekend will see the freezing levels rise above the tops with the probability that most snow that's fallen will have melted.

Last weekend, not this one, unfortunately....

Saturday
Appears to be the best day of the weekend - being dry and fine, with little wind.

Sunday.
Showery and windy (very!).

Summary.
If you didn't get out last weekend, then you've missed it.

Snowdonia definately got its first proper dump of snow of the season today, with more to come tonight and into sunday night. First thing this morning, the snow level was around 300m, and with significant falls on the summits. Some drifts were waist deep on top of Foel Fras, which because of the wall across the summit, always sees deep drifts.

Walking up Yr Aryg, I'd hoped to get to Llewelyn, but the snow was neither deep enough to cover the rocks or shallow enough to see where all the holes were. So it was a tentative, long bimble to get to the ridge in thick mist. I was soon on Garnedd Uchaf, and yes - I'm aware some people have changed it, but Garnedd Uchaf it will remain. What other hills shall be renamed after dead historical figures who are only significant by their birthline? As you may gather, I'm not much of a royalist... Anyway, back to the snow - here's some images.

Healthy dusting of snow towards the Arenig and Aran ranges.

Foel Fras Skyscape

Foel Fras

This was after it 'cleared'!

Carnedd Dafydd and Yr Elen from GARNEDD UCHAF

OH YES!

Castell y Geifr.

It's almost a cert that we'll see some of the white stuff falling on the highest peaks this weekend. It may even be falling as low as 300m - though unlikely to stick.

Saturday - There should be snow overnight and into the morning, over about 500m. The afternoon looks to start clearing, so it might well be a corker of a day if the cloud keeps off.

Sunday - Again, forecast to start cool, with the chance of overnight snow. Will be a little breezy, and windchill is likely to be a factor! It looks like it might even be a fine day, but while the synoptics suggest it will be, a quick look at all the different forecasts makes you realise that anything from rain to sun and everything in between is possible.

Best bet? Saturday - as who knows what might happen! Pretty much certain snow on the Carneddau, though it may well start melting as soon as it's fallen.

Outlook - Next week remains cool, with probable further snowfalls in the first half. But looks to warm up later in the week, so chances of snow remaining is slim.

Not a chance..Nothing but rain, wind and unseasonally mild weather.

As good as it'll get this weekend...

Looking at the long range forecasts - there's nothing imminent, but you just never know. The highlands are due some snow the middle of next week, so lets hope the conditions extend a bit further south.

This weekend though is a bit of a windy washout. The ground is going to be saturated and streams swollen.

Saturday Get a quick walk in first thing if you must as as it looks like becoming windier and wetter as the day moves on.
Sunday - This is looking like the best of the weekend, but still wet and windy with a bit of sun in between so you'll be convinced that it'll improve any moment now. It won't.