Mountain weather

Mountain weather

North Grampian

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Confidence

High confidence for settled weather on Sunday but otherwise largely unsettled with occasionally strong winds. Lower confidence for rainfall details on Monday, and for developments on Wednesday.

Sunrise: Sunset:
Sunrise: Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

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

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.

Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
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.
Strong Sunlight
Harmful UV levels from sunlight increase with altitude giving a greater risk of sunburn and eye damage, even on some overcast days. On breezy days, the cooling effect of wind on exposed skin may disguise any feeling of sunburn until it is too late. If there is snow cover, glare increases the effect of UV rays especially on the eyes. It is advisable to wear sun block, protective clothing such as a long-sleeved top and hat and have good quality eye protection.
Updated: 
Mountain hazards explained

Mountain weather forecast

Rain, summit gales in morning. Showers afternoon, brighter evening. Chilly.

Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
 Weather symbols Light rain Light rain showers Light rain showers Light rain showers Sunny intervals Partly cloudy (night)
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
 Chance of precipitation
≥95%
70%
60%
70%
30%
10%

Wind direction and speed

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1300m
 1300m S 49mph knots
S
49mph
 SW 50mph knots
SW
50mph
 W 37mph knots
W
37mph
 W 24mph knots
W
24mph
 NW 20mph knots
NW
20mph
 NW 17mph knots
NW
17mph
900m
 900m S 55mph knots
S
55mph
 SW 47mph knots
SW
47mph
 W 30mph knots
W
30mph
 W 19mph knots
W
19mph
 W 14mph knots
W
14mph
 W 11mph knots
W
11mph
600m
 600m S 37mph knots
S
37mph
 SW 29mph knots
SW
29mph
 W 21mph knots
W
21mph
 W 14mph knots
W
14mph
 W 10mph knots
W
10mph
 W 7mph knots
W
7mph
300m
 300m SW 12mph knots
SW
12mph
 SW 13mph knots
SW
13mph
 SW 13mph knots
SW
13mph
 W 10mph knots
W
10mph
 W 7mph knots
W
7mph
 W 4mph knots
W
4mph
Glen
 Glen SW 6mph knots
SW
6mph
 SW 4mph knots
SW
4mph
 W 5mph knots
W
5mph
 W 5mph knots
W
5mph
 W 3mph knots
W
3mph
 W 2mph knots
W
2mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1300m
 1300m 63mph 65mph 49mph 32mph 25mph 21mph
900m
 900m 65mph 57mph 38mph 25mph 18mph 14mph
600m
 600m 48mph 39mph 29mph 20mph 14mph 10mph
300m
 300m 31mph 31mph 27mph 20mph 15mph 9mph
Glen
 Glen 33mph 24mph 23mph 18mph 12mph 10mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1300m
 1300m -2 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius 2 degrees Celsius 0 degrees Celsius -2 degrees Celsius
900m
 900m 4 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 6 degrees Celsius 7 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 3 degrees Celsius
600m
 600m 7 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius
300m
 300m 9 degrees Celsius 13 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 12 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius
Glen
 Glen 9 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 17 degrees Celsius 15 degrees Celsius 14 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
3000m
2500m
2600m
2500m
2200m
1700m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Very challenging conditions in the morning with rain, severe wind chill, low cloud, and walking will be extremely difficult on exposed ground with a high risk of being blown over in 60-70mph winds. Conditions much improved later in the day.

Weather

Rain spreads east in the early morning, heaviest and most persistent over ranges west of the A9, generally patchier over more sheltered northeastern areas such as Ben Rinnes and Ladder Hills. This accompanied by widespread summit gales and some storm-force gusts over the highest summits. The worst of the rain clear by mid-morning, but staying rather cloudy in the west until the evening, best of the clearer, brighter spells in the northeast. Further mainly light showers spread east through the rest of the afternoon, meanwhile winds will gradually ease. Becoming dry with clear spells in the evening.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

30% or less in west until evening, 70% in northeast. Rising to 80% or higher for all in evening.

Low cloud and visibility

Quite widespread cloud down to 700-900m in the west much of the day, falling to 500m for a time in the morning with poor visibilities in heavy rain. Generally clearer summits in the sheltered northeast with some clear spells at times. Cloud lifting and breaking for all through the late afternoon and evening to allow some good clear spells and visibilities.

Ground conditions

No recent ground conditions report available.

Summit specific forecast

Includes the northern and western Cairngorms National Park, Monadhliath, Ben Alder, Creag Meagaidh, Loch Ericht and Loch Rannoch.

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