Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for cold, unsettled weather. Moderate confidence for exact details on Saturday into Sunday.
This evening forecast
A band of snow, rain below 600-700m, will cross east through the evening, though staying drier in shelter east of the A9. Increasingly widespread cloud down to 500-700m spreading across the area. Strong southerly winds increasing to gale force with gusts 60mph or so. Feeling bitterly cold.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Scattered snow showers. Cold. Strong winds.
| 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) |
70% | 80% | 70% | 50% | 60% | 50% | 50% | 40% |
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 |
S
45
|
S
41
|
W
37
|
W
35
|
W
31
|
W
30
|
W
29
|
W
29
|
| 900m |
S
51
|
S
48
|
SW
33
|
W
32
|
W
28
|
W
27
|
W
25
|
SW
24
|
| 600m |
S
32
|
S
33
|
SW
20
|
W
23
|
SW
21
|
W
21
|
SW
18
|
SW
17
|
| 300m |
S
15
|
SW
13
|
SW
11
|
W
13
|
W
13
|
W
13
|
SW
10
|
SW
10
|
| Glen |
S
9
|
SW
9
|
SW
6
|
W
9
|
W
9
|
W
9
|
SW
6
|
SW
5
|
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 | 58 | 53 | 49 | 45 | 41 | 40 | 39 | 38 |
| 900m | 62 | 58 | 41 | 40 | 37 | 35 | 32 | 32 |
| 600m | 45 | 44 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 25 |
| 300m | 35 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 20 | 22 |
| Glen | 30 | 30 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 19 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
| 900m |
0°
|
3°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
4°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
0°
|
| Glen |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
3°
|
1°
|
| Freezing Level |
700m
|
1,000m
|
800m
|
600m
|
500m
|
500m
|
400m
|
200m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-15°
|
-13°
|
-13°
|
-15°
|
-15°
|
-15°
|
-16°
|
-17°
|
| 900m |
-9°
|
-6°
|
-8°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-11°
|
-12°
|
| 600m |
-5°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-7°
|
-8°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
| Glen |
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Gusts of 40-50mph will give difficult walking conditions with a risk of being blown off balance. Navigation will be challenging in temporary blizzard conditions with energy output significantly increased when walking into the wind. Feeling bitterly cold so suitable clothing is advised. Keep up to date with the latest forecast from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service.
Weather
More persistent area of cloud and rain, and summit snow will clear east through the early morning. Then scattered snow showers feeding in from the west through the day with strong gusty winds at times. Bright or sunny spells developing between showers.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50%
Low cloud and visibility
Clear summits and good air clarity between showers. Cloud falling to around summit height and visibilities rapidly falling poor as snow showers pass through.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A few snow showers in the early morning, becoming dry and bright by mid-morning. Storm Dave will bring incredibly hazardous conditions from the afternoon onwards with widespread low cloud, persistent snow turning to rain later and gale-force winds even to moderate levels, with the chance of storm force gusts.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
75% in morning. No chance in afternoon and evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 50-60mph, chance of gusts to 80-90mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 4C to plus 0C.
- Glen Minus 1C rising to plus 4C by day.
- Freezing level 200m rising to 1200m later.
Low cloud and visibility
Generally clear summits and good visibilities in the morning, though a few passing showers will bring cloud down to around summit height and visibilities temporarily poor. Widespread cloud down to 400-600m and poor visibilities spreading north through the afternoon,
Mountain weather information
Sun 5 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Scattered snow showers, occasionally heavy. Strong westerly winds. Freezing level around 300m.
Mon 6 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry, variable cloud and bright spells. Cold, Freezing level around 600m. Moderate to light winds
Tue 7 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry, chance of rain later. Strengthening southerly winds. Freezing level rising above summits.
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