Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence in generally unsettled weather, but low confidence in developments from Tuesday onwards. Please note we are aware of an issue affecting forecast wind speeds and gusts for higher-elevation sites (typically above 500m) displayed on the Met Office website and app. The winds shown here in our Mountain Area Forecasts are not affected by this. Our teams are actively working to correct the issue and updates will be deployed as soon as possible.
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.
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
Showery rain and higher summit snow in morning, drier spells later. Cold.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
80% | 60% | 50% | 30% | 40% | 40% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
SE
28
|
SE
27
|
SE
20
|
SE
16
|
SE
14
|
SE
13
|
| 900m |
SE
26
|
SE
24
|
SE
11
|
SE
9
|
SE
7
|
SE
8
|
| 600m |
E
8
|
SE
7
|
S
5
|
SE
4
|
E
3
|
SE
4
|
| 300m |
E
4
|
SE
3
|
W
2
|
SW
2
|
SW
1
|
NE
2
|
| Glen |
NE
2
|
NW
1
|
NW
2
|
E
2
|
SW
2
|
S
2
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 36 | 34 | 25 | 19 | 18 | 16 |
| 900m | 30 | 28 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 11 |
| 600m | 10 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| 300m | 10 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Glen | 10 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
3°
|
5°
|
5°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| Glen |
3°
|
3°
|
5°
|
6°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
900m
|
900m
|
900m
|
900m
|
900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-11°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
| 900m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
1°
|
4°
|
4°
|
2°
|
0°
|
| Glen |
2°
|
1°
|
4°
|
5°
|
3°
|
1°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Windy conditions in the morning will make for fairly arduous walking on exposed terrain with buffeting of clothing, note the easing winds through the day. Balance may be affected at times. Feeling cold at height so suitable clothing is advised. Still lying snow around at height so keep up to date with the latest avalanche forecast from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS).
Weather
Staying largely cloudy throughout the day, though some brighter spells may develop west of the A9 at times, particularly around lunch time. Showery outbreaks of rain, especially in the morning with more frequent drier interludes through the afternoon, these showers wintry above around 900m.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50%, best chances west of the A9, and around the middle of the day
Low cloud and visibility
Quite widespread cloud down to 400-600m with visibilities falling moderate or poor in hill fog or showers. Cloud more broken in late morning and again in evening allowing some temporary clear spells.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Southeasterly flow will bring largely cloudy conditions, with any chance of temporary breaks to the west of the A9. Showery rain at first, snow above 800-900m will gradually become more persistent, and wintry above 500m by the end of the day. Staying mostly dry west of the A9. Feeling increasingly cold with strengthening southeast winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
25%, best chances west of the A9
Maximum wind speed expected
East to southeast increasing to 45-55mph through the day, over 60-70mph possible over the very highest summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 1C to plus 2C.
- Glen Plus 3C rising to plus 7C.
- Freezing level 900m falling to 500m
Low cloud and visibility
Quite extensive areas of cloud down to 400-600m with visibilities falling moderate or poor in hill fog or snow, blizzard conditions developing at times with persistent snowfall and strong winds. Cloud more broken west of the A9 potentially allowing some temporary bright spells.
Mountain weather information
Tue 3 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Keeping a strong to gale southeast flow. Cloudy with outbreaks of snow, drier west of the A9. Freezing level falling to 200m or so.
Wed 4 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showers or longer spells of snow, drier west of the A9. Freezing level 200m rising to 600m or so. Strong to gale easterly winds.
Thu 5 Feb
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Further showers or longer spells of rain or summit snow. Freezing level rising to around 1000m. Strong to gale easterly winds.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Loading map…
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