Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High until later Wednesday then low.
This evening forecast
A dry start in east otherwise cloudy with further rain arriving, some heavy, and hill fog, accompanied by south to southwesterly gales, severe on the tops. The rain turning to snow above 1000m late evening but easing around midnight, winds veering more westerly and moderating.
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.
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
Dry with some sunny periods, some patchy cloud in the west.
| 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) |
40% | 10% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% |
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 |
W
26
|
W
31
|
SW
28
|
SW
23
|
SW
22
|
S
17
|
S
17
|
SW
16
|
| 900m |
SW
22
|
SW
28
|
SW
22
|
SW
21
|
SW
21
|
S
18
|
S
16
|
SW
15
|
| 600m |
SW
17
|
SW
18
|
SW
13
|
SW
13
|
SW
14
|
SW
12
|
SW
8
|
SW
7
|
| 300m |
SW
8
|
SW
8
|
S
6
|
S
5
|
SW
5
|
SW
5
|
SW
3
|
SW
4
|
| Glen |
W
4
|
SW
3
|
SW
3
|
SW
3
|
SW
5
|
SW
4
|
S
3
|
SW
3
|
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 | 33 | 39 | 37 | 31 | 29 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
| 900m | 28 | 34 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 20 | 19 |
| 600m | 23 | 25 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 13 | 11 |
| 300m | 18 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 9 |
| Glen | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 12 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
0°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 900m |
3°
|
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
5°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
900m
|
800m
|
800m
|
800m
|
800m
|
800m
|
800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-8°
|
-11°
|
-12°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
-9°
|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
0°
|
| Glen |
6°
|
4°
|
3°
|
2°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
1°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
A much better day on the mountains but some icy surfaces at height.
Weather
Remaining cloud and drizzle or light summit snow at midnight clearing in early hours. The day will be dry with some sunny spells, with some patchy cloud mainly over the Cairngorms and some western ranges.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% at midnight rising 90% by morning. By day 90%, but 75% in the west.
Low cloud and visibility
Extensive cloud at 450-750m at midnight clearing in early hours. Thereafter only small amounts of cloud for most but over Cairngorms and some western ranges perhaps some occasional cloud above 900m. Visibility away from cloud very good.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A mixture of sunny or clear intervals and showers, these mostly affecting the Cairngorms and west in the afternoon, while Strathdon should stay dry. The showers of snow above 750m.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50% in west, 80% in east
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly 35 gusts 50mph bringing a strong wind chill.
Temperature
- At 800m 0 Celsius
- Glen Minus 1 rising to Plus 5 Celsius
- Freezing level 800m
Low cloud and visibility
Occasional cloud at 750-900m especially near showers in west. Visibility away from cloud mostly good but briefly poor in snow showers at height.
Mountain weather information
Wed 17 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain arriving in early hours preceded by snow above 700m. The day cloudy with rain, hill fog and severe gales, only clearing up to scattered showers after dark when freezing levels drop back down to 1100m.
Thu 18 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Very uncertain. Probably starting dry and bright before rain, with snow above 900m, spreads from south.
Fri 19 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showery west to southwesterly flow with snow above 800m. Some longer spells of rain and higher freezing levels possible later.
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