Mountain weather

Mountain weather

North Grampian

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Confidence

High confidence for the general evolution and for changeable weather.

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.

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.
Thunderstorms
Lightning is a significant mountain hazard which can result in serious injury or death. Mountain terrain often leaves one highly exposed to lightning strikes. Hail may give unpleasant conditions with torrential rain and localised flash flooding also possible, mainly in Summer months.

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.
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.
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

Gales. Heavy showers, some thunder. Some drier, brighter spells in early evening.

Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
Weather
(at 800m)
 Weather symbols Heavy Rain Heavy Rain Heavy Rain Heavy Rain Light rain showers Dull
Chance of
precipitation
(at 800m)
 Chance of precipitation
≥95%
≥95%
≥95%
90%
50%
50%

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 SW 43mph knots
SW
43mph
 W 41mph knots
W
41mph
 W 40mph knots
W
40mph
 NW 39mph knots
NW
39mph
 NW 40mph knots
NW
40mph
 NW 33mph knots
NW
33mph
900m
 900m SW 41mph knots
SW
41mph
 SW 38mph knots
SW
38mph
 W 35mph knots
W
35mph
 NW 31mph knots
NW
31mph
 NW 32mph knots
NW
32mph
 NW 26mph knots
NW
26mph
600m
 600m SW 26mph knots
SW
26mph
 SW 26mph knots
SW
26mph
 W 24mph knots
W
24mph
 NW 21mph knots
NW
21mph
 NW 19mph knots
NW
19mph
 NW 14mph knots
NW
14mph
300m
 300m SW 12mph knots
SW
12mph
 SW 13mph knots
SW
13mph
 W 13mph knots
W
13mph
 NW 12mph knots
NW
12mph
 NW 10mph knots
NW
10mph
 NW 8mph knots
NW
8mph
Glen
 Glen SW 3mph knots
SW
3mph
 SW 4mph knots
SW
4mph
 W 6mph knots
W
6mph
 NW 5mph knots
NW
5mph
 NW 5mph knots
NW
5mph
 NW 3mph knots
NW
3mph

Wind gust

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1300m
 1300m 55mph 54mph 52mph 52mph 53mph 44mph
900m
 900m 48mph 47mph 44mph 40mph 40mph 33mph
600m
 600m 33mph 35mph 33mph 29mph 27mph 21mph
300m
 300m 29mph 30mph 28mph 27mph 24mph 21mph
Glen
 Glen 23mph 22mph 27mph 24mph 24mph 20mph

Altitude above mean sea level
Time
 Time
06:00
09:00
12:00
15:00
18:00
21:00
1300m
 1300m -6 degrees Celsius -5 degrees Celsius -5 degrees Celsius -4 degrees Celsius -5 degrees Celsius -5 degrees Celsius
900m
 900m -2 degrees Celsius -1 degrees Celsius 0 degrees Celsius 1 degrees Celsius 0 degrees Celsius 0 degrees Celsius
600m
 600m 3 degrees Celsius 3 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 5 degrees Celsius 4 degrees Celsius 4 degrees Celsius
300m
 300m 7 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius 8 degrees Celsius
Glen
 Glen 8 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 11 degrees Celsius 10 degrees Celsius 9 degrees Celsius
Freezing Level Freezing Level
1500m
1700m
1800m
1800m
1800m
1700m

Additional weather information

Meteorologist's view

Walking will be extremely difficult on exposed ground with a high risk of being blown over. These strong winds combined with low temperatures at height will bring significant wind chill and drenching conditions at times.

Weather

Largely cloudy in the morning with frequent heavy showers with a chance of hail and lightning and widespread gales, with a chance of storm force gusts on the tops in the early morning. Best chance of any limited clear, dry spells in the sheltered northeast in the morning. Some brighter spells developing in the late afternoon or early evening as showers become less heavy and frequent for a time. Further showers in the evening but lighter than during the morning. Winds gradually moderate through the second part of the day. Feeling cold at height.

Chance of cloud-free hill tops

30% much of the day, temporarily rising to 60% for a time late afternoon/early evening.

Low cloud and visibility

Cloud frequently falling down to 800-1000m with visibilities falling poor in hill fog and heavy rain as heavy showers pass through, best chance of clearer spells in the morning over the relatively sheltered northeast, and for a few hours in the late afternoon-early evening. Cloud becomes more widespread down to 600-800m later through the evening.

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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