Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for rain, showers and stronger winds on Friday and Saturday before turning more settled from Sunday into the beginning of next week.
This evening forecast
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain this evening. Strong to gale force southerly winds. Feeling cold on higher routes especially.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Mostly cloudy with heavy rain at times, brighter spells in the afternoon. Strong to gale force winds and feeling cold on higher routes.
| 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% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 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
36
|
S
38
|
S
42
|
S
44
|
S
44
|
S
40
|
S
41
|
S
42
|
| 900m |
S
39
|
S
43
|
S
46
|
S
45
|
S
41
|
S
35
|
S
41
|
S
40
|
| 600m |
S
22
|
S
25
|
S
28
|
S
27
|
S
27
|
S
22
|
S
26
|
SW
24
|
| 300m |
S
8
|
S
10
|
S
11
|
S
12
|
S
14
|
S
15
|
S
15
|
SW
13
|
| Glen |
S
6
|
S
8
|
S
7
|
S
7
|
S
12
|
S
12
|
S
10
|
SW
9
|
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 | 46 | 49 | 54 | 57 | 57 | 53 | 54 | 56 |
| 900m | 47 | 52 | 56 | 56 | 52 | 46 | 52 | 50 |
| 600m | 32 | 37 | 40 | 39 | 38 | 33 | 38 | 35 |
| 300m | 23 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 31 |
| Glen | 22 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 29 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 900m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
12°
|
12°
|
10°
|
8°
|
| Glen |
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,600m
|
1,600m
|
1,700m
|
1,700m
|
1,500m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
7°
|
5°
|
| Glen |
8°
|
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
8°
|
6°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Tricky navigation at times with low cloud and heavy rain. Brighter and improving conditions for a time in the afternoon but still showers around. Strong to gale force winds may make for slow progress
Weather
Cloudy in the morning with rain. Bright or sunny spells developing in the afternoon with blustery showers at times, which may be heavy. Showers may turn wintry in the evening. Best of the dry and sunny spells in the east. Strong winds reaching gale force on higher routes. Feeling cold.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
10% morning and evening, rising to 80% in the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Low cloud with base 600-800m in the morning and evening. Cloud breaking up and lifting in the afternoon with cloud bases of 800-1000m lingering, mainly near showers. Visibility moderate or poor in rain and cloud, otherwise good.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A mostly cloudy day with showers, which may be heavy and often wintry on highest routes. Some bright and sunny spells through the afternoon, especially in the east with showers mainly in the west. Strong to gale force southwesterly winds easing and turning westerly later. Cold on higher routes.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Little chance in the morning, 70% in afternoon and evening.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 30-35mph gusting 40-50mph, becoming west 25-30mph later.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 4 or 5C, falling to 0C later.
- Glen Plus 8 or 9C, falling to plus 6C later.
- Freezing level 1200m becoming 800m later.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread low cloud with base 600-800m in the morning, this generally lifting and breaking in the afternoon but some low bases lingering. Visibility poor in cloud and showers, otherwise good.
Mountain weather information
Sun 19 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with some bright intervals and the odd light shower. Moderate northwesterly winds. Freezing level 800-1000m.
Mon 20 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with bright spells and isolated showers. Light northerly winds. Freezing level 800-1000m.
Tue 21 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Largely dry and cloudy with brighter intervals. Moderate northerly winds. Freezing level 800-1000m.
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