Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for cold and bright conditions with wintry showers during the weekend.
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.
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
A bitterly cold but dry and sunny day with gale force easterly winds at height easing down through the day.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
30% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
E
41
|
E
42
|
E
30
|
E
19
|
E
11
|
E
11
|
| 900m |
E
31
|
E
31
|
E
21
|
E
16
|
E
10
|
E
11
|
| 600m |
E
13
|
E
13
|
E
9
|
E
7
|
E
7
|
E
4
|
| 300m |
NE
7
|
NE
5
|
NE
5
|
NE
4
|
E
5
|
E
2
|
| Glen |
NE
2
|
NE
2
|
NE
3
|
NE
3
|
N
3
|
N
1
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 54 | 55 | 40 | 27 | 14 | 14 |
| 900m | 36 | 39 | 27 | 23 | 14 | 14 |
| 600m | 18 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 6 |
| 300m | 18 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 5 |
| Glen | 15 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 4 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
| 900m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Glen |
0°
|
1°
|
4°
|
4°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
| Freezing Level |
400m
|
500m
|
600m
|
600m
|
500m
|
400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-15°
|
-15°
|
-13°
|
-12°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
| 900m |
-10°
|
-9°
|
-8°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
-5°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
-2°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| Glen |
-1°
|
0°
|
3°
|
2°
|
-1°
|
-3°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
While dry and sunny the day will be bitterly cold to lower levels. 40-50mph wind gusts can make walking difficult at times.
Weather
The odd wintry shower increases over the Cairngorms for a time around dawn. Early showers will soon die to leave a dry but very cold day with long sunny periods.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
90%.
Low cloud and visibility
The visibility will be excellent.
Mountain weather information
Weather
The day will be mostly dry and bright. A band of increased cloud and wintry showers will however pass south during the middle of the day.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80%
Maximum wind speed expected
Northwest 20-25mph gust 35mph, turning northerly by midday
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 2C rising to 1C
- Glen Minus 2C rising to 7C
- Freezing level 600m rising to 900m
Low cloud and visibility
The visibility will stay mostly excellent but will lower briefly in passing showers. Patchy cloud will lower to around 700m in passing showers.
Mountain weather information
Mon 17 Nov
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A dry morning with sunny spells. Cloud will increase during the afternoon with snow showers spreading south later. Fresh northerly winds will continue over the summits. Freezing level around 200-400m.
Tue 18 Nov
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showers or longer spells of snow spread south through the day. Fresh northwest winds with the freezing level 200-400m.
Wed 19 Nov
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Snow showers slowly clear all but the Cairngorms by the afternoon. It will remain cold as strong northerly winds continue at height. Freezing level 200-400m.
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