Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for a mostly dry day on Saturday before turning more unsettled from Sunday onwards. Low confidence in exact timing and detail of any rain from Monday.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Largely dry and cloudy with strong winds at times on highest routes. Best of the brighter spells in the east.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
10% | 20% | 20% | 10% | 10% | 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 |
W
20
|
W
14
|
SW
10
|
SW
16
|
SW
21
|
S
30
|
| 900m |
SW
18
|
SW
12
|
W
8
|
S
11
|
SW
17
|
S
27
|
| 600m |
SW
12
|
W
8
|
SW
7
|
W
7
|
W
9
|
SW
16
|
| 300m |
SW
3
|
SW
4
|
W
3
|
SW
5
|
SW
4
|
S
5
|
| Glen |
SW
3
|
SW
3
|
N
2
|
SW
4
|
SW
3
|
SW
3
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 26 | 17 | 13 | 21 | 28 | 41 |
| 900m | 21 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 21 | 33 |
| 600m | 14 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 24 |
| 300m | 12 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 14 |
| Glen | 16 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 14 | 17 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
| 900m |
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
5°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| Glen |
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
10°
|
9°
|
8°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,500m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,400m
|
1,300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-8°
|
| 900m |
-2°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| Glen |
5°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Winds becoming strong on higher routes later which will make for more strenuous walking conditions. Poor visibility in cloud will make for tricky navigation. Feeling chilly on higher routes.
Weather
In the west it will be cloudy throughout the day with the odd spot of rain and only brief clearer intervals later. In the east, dry and also mostly cloudy but some longer bright and sunny spells breaking through. Winds becoming strong later with gales possible on highest routes.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% in the west, increasing to 60% in the far east.
Low cloud and visibility
Widespread low cloud with base 600-800m in the west. Cloud breaking up in lee shelter in the east with less low cloud in the far east. Poor visibility in the west in cloud, good outside of cloud.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy in the morning as rain spreads southeastwards. Becoming dry by the afternoon and remaining mostly cloudy, but some bright and sunny spells developing. Southwesterly winds turning westerly, these will be strong at times with risk of gales in the morning.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
Nil much of the morning, improving to 80% through the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest becoming west 30-35mph gusting 40-45mph, gusts of 45-55mph in the morning.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 3C, falling to minus 1C by end of the day.
- Glen Plus 7 or 8C, falling to plus 3C later.
- Freezing level 1200m, rising above summits morning, then falling to 600m by end of the day.
Low cloud and visibility
Low cloud with base 400-600m, perhaps to lower slopes in rain, in the morning. Cloud breaking up in the afternoon with some isolated low cloud bases (800-1000m) lingering. Poor visibility in the morning with rain and low cloud, good outside of cloud later.
Mountain weather information
Mon 23 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with some bright intervals early in the day before heavy rain spreads southeastwards later. Fresh southwesterly winds becoming strong to gale force later. Freezing level 600m rising above summits.
Tue 24 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with showers, wintry on higher ground. Strong to gale force southwesterly winds. Freezing level above summits falling to 600m later.
Wed 25 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with some brighter intervals and a few wintry showers. Strong to gale force northwesterly winds. Freezing level 600m, lowering later.
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