Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Confidence is high for continuation of southeasterly flow, bringing periods of rain, sleet and snow, to eastern ranges, with western ranges remaining generally dry.
This evening forecast
A cloudy evening with periods of snow to low levels which combined with strong winds will bring blizzard conditions at times east of the A9. West of the A9 will stay mostly dry with the chance of an odd bright spell.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Cloudy with periods of snow to low levels turning sleety towards the end of the day, blizzards at times with gales on southeast summits. Brighter in the west.
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
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
39
|
SE
44
|
SE
43
|
SE
38
|
SE
39
|
SE
31
|
SE
35
|
| 900m |
SE
39
|
E
27
|
E
30
|
SE
31
|
SE
30
|
E
25
|
SE
13
|
SE
26
|
| 600m |
E
14
|
NE
15
|
N
17
|
N
15
|
NE
11
|
NE
10
|
E
10
|
SE
9
|
| 300m |
NE
5
|
NE
6
|
E
6
|
E
6
|
E
7
|
E
8
|
NE
5
|
E
2
|
| Glen |
NE
3
|
NE
3
|
NE
4
|
NE
3
|
E
5
|
E
5
|
NE
4
|
E
2
|
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 | 50 | 56 | 54 | 48 | 49 | 40 | 45 |
| 900m | 48 | 33 | 36 | 37 | 36 | 31 | 17 | 31 |
| 600m | 22 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 |
| 300m | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 5 |
| Glen | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 7 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-7°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| Glen |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Freezing Level |
300m
|
300m
|
300m
|
300m
|
400m
|
400m
|
500m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-19°
|
-18°
|
-18°
|
-18°
|
-17°
|
-17°
|
-15°
|
-14°
|
| 900m |
-13°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-11°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
| 600m |
-7°
|
-7°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
| 300m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
| Glen |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Feeling very cold, combined with strong winds and gales, periods of snow and blizzard conditions will combine to make walking on eastern ridges hazardous and only suitable for experienced climbers.
Weather
A cloudy day with periods of snow to low levels which combined with strong winds will bring blizzard conditions at times. Most persistent snow in the east with drier and brighter spells in east. The rising freezing level will lift the falling snow level to 500m from the late afternoon.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Mostly nil, 10% in northwest.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud down to 300-500m together with hill fog or snow with blizzard conditions at times will lower the visibility to very poor. Some breaks in the cloud in northwest may give brief clearer spells.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Extensive cloud with snow in the east. Drier and brighter far northwest. Fresh southeast summit wind becoming stronger with a risk of blizzard and gales later. Freezing level 900m at first lowers to 400m by the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Mostly nil, 10% in northwest.
Maximum wind speed expected
Easterly 25-35mph and gusts up to 40-50mph.
Temperature
- At 800m 0 lowering to Minus 4
- Glen Minus 1 rising plus 2.
- Freezing level 800m lowering to 400m.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud down to 300-500m together with hill fog or snow with blizzard conditions at times will lower the visibility to very poor. Some breaks in the cloud in northwest may give brief clearer spells.
Mountain weather information
Fri 6 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with snow to low levels. Fresh northeast summit wind. Freezing level 200m.
Sat 7 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with snow in the east. Drier and brighter west. Moderate east summit wind. Freezing level 300m rising to 800m in the afternoon.
Sun 8 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with sleet or snow in the east, moderate southeast summit wind, freezing level 1000m to begin, falling later to 600m.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
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Key
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
Includes the northern and western Cairngorms National Park, Monadhliath, Ben Alder, Creag Meagaidh, Loch Ericht and Loch Rannoch.
For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Scottish Avalanche Information Service