Mountain weather
Yellow warning

Yellow weather warning in force for North Grampian

North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

Please note we are aware of an issue affecting forecast wind speeds and gusts for higher-elevation sites (typically above 500m) displayed on the Met Office website and app. The winds shown here in our Mountain Area Forecasts are not affected by this. Our teams are actively working to correct the issue and updates will be deployed as soon as possible. High confidence in a continuing southeast airflow until Monday becoming medium due to uncertainty in the detail of an approaching front on Tuesday.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

This evening forecast

Cloudy with outbreaks of snow in the east, drier with the odd clear spell in the west. Gale southeast summit winds.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

hazard Severe Chill Effect
Wind significantly lowers the ‘feels-like’ temperature relative to the actual temperature, with even moderate winds significantly adding to the chilling effect. Strong winds can result in a severe and debilitating wind chill many degrees below the actual temperature. This effect will be enhanced in rain or wet snow. Without protection, prolonged exposure could result in frost nip or frostbite on exposed parts of the body and/or hypothermia.

hazard Blizzards
Blizzards and whiteouts present challenging and serious conditions due to a combination of falling or blowing snow, strong winds and cold temperatures. They can be highly disorientating, often resulting in near-zero visibility with limited or no visual references and no distinction between ground and sky. Cliff edges and cornices may not be apparent, even close up. These conditions require very good navigational skills.
hazard Gales
Gale force winds (gusts over 50mph) make walking difficult and strenuous with a potential to be blown over by gusts. There is often a marked increase in winds through cols or on exposed ridges and summits. Distances can take longer to cover and compass bearings become harder to follow accurately.
hazard Poor Visibility
Poor visibility presents challenging route finding conditions. Visibility could be significantly less than 50 metres in all directions with few or no visual references, especially on featureless moors or plateaux. Distances become hard to judge and cliff or cornice edges can be difficult to recognise. These conditions require good navigational skills. There is a risk of white-out conditions when mist or fog is combined with extensive snow cover.

hazard Heavy Persistent Snow
Heavy snow can lead to rapid changes in underfoot conditions and paths may become treacherous or hidden. It also brings very poor visibility and often makes navigation much more challenging. When deep snow accumulates progress is often time consuming and strenuous, significantly affecting the distance one can travel on foot. Deep drifts can develop if snow is combined with strong winds. A heightened avalanche risk is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
hazard Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.

Mountain weather forecast

Gales on the tops with persistent snow, drier in the west.

Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
Light snow Heavy snow Heavy snow Heavy snow Heavy snow Light snow Light snow Light snow
Chance of precipitation
(at 800m)
80% 80% 80% 80% 70% 70% 60% 50%

Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1300m SE
42
SE
45
SE
46
SE
45
SE
43
SE
38
SE
36
SE
36
900m SE
41
SE
38
E
34
SE
42
SE
35
SE
28
SE
30
SE
29
600m SE
21
E
16
E
15
SE
20
E
14
E
12
E
12
NE
11
300m NE
6
NE
7
NE
7
E
6
E
7
E
7
E
6
E
5
Glen E
3
NE
3
E
3
NE
2
E
4
E
4
E
3
E
3
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1300m 53 58 60 58 54 48 46 46
900m 49 45 41 50 42 35 37 36
600m 29 23 21 28 21 18 20 16
300m 13 16 20 19 16 18 15 13
Glen 16 17 19 15 15 14 14 12

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1300m
-4°
-4°
-4°
-4°
-4°
-5°
-5°
-5°
900m
-1°
-1°
-1°
-1°
-2°
-2°
600m
300m
Glen
Freezing Level
700m
700m
700m
700m
700m
700m
600m
600m

Altitude above mean sea level
Time 00:00 03:00 06:00 09:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00
1300m
-15°
-15°
-15°
-15°
-15°
-15°
-15°
-16°
900m
-10°
-9°
-9°
-9°
-9°
-9°
-10°
-10°
600m
-5°
-3°
-4°
-4°
-3°
-3°
-4°
-4°
300m
Glen

Additional weather information

Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view

Strong winds will make walking difficult, with the risk of being blown over on exposed rides and peaks. Navigation will be challenging with snow drifts and poor visibility on upper slopes. It will feel bitterly cold from low levels in the strong wind.

Weather

Cloudy with outbreaks of snow, persistent in the east and falling as rain below 500m. The west will be drier and brighter. Bitterly cold conditions will continue with gales on the tops easing slightly through the day.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

20%.

Low cloud and visibility

Extensive cloud 600-800m. Good visibility will fall poor or very poor in cloud and blowing snow on upper slopes.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

Cloudy with snow showers, drier and brighter in the west.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

20%.

Maximum wind speed expected

Southeast 30-35mph gust 45-50mph.

Temperature

  • At 800m Minus 1C.
  • Glen Plus 3C rising plus 6C.
  • Freezing level 500m.

Low cloud and visibility

Extensive cloud 600-800m in the east will be patchy in the west. Good visibility will fall poor or very poor in cloud and blowing snow on upper slopes in the east.

Mountain weather information

Tue 27 Jan

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Cold and windy with snow, heavy at times. Severe gale southeast summit winds. Freezing level 600m.

Wed 28 Jan

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Cloudy with periods of snow, some heavy. Gale southeast summit winds. Freezing level 600m rising briefly 800m in the middle of the day.

Thu 29 Jan

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Cloudy and cold with further snow, drier in the west. Gale southeast summit winds. Freezing level 600m, lowering 300m later.

Updated at:

Summit specific forecast

Mountain summit forecast map

Loading map…

For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service