Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for the mobile westerly nature of the weather pattern and for snow across summits, but lowering for the transitional timing detail.
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.
Storm Force Winds
Storm force winds (gusts over 70mph) make walking very strenuous with any mobility virtually impossible over exposed ground. Where these conditions occur there is a high risk of being blown over and even standing may be impossible at times with a risk of being blown off one’s feet. Basic tasks such as using a map, eating, putting on extra clothing or communication become extremely difficult away from any shelter.
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
Most dry by day with occasional bright spells, but snow, rain and storm force winds developing for evening.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
10% | 10% | <05% | 10% | 20% | 80% |
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
25
|
W
18
|
SW
13
|
S
26
|
SE
45
|
SE
62
|
| 900m |
SW
20
|
W
17
|
SW
11
|
S
21
|
SE
36
|
S
54
|
| 600m |
SW
14
|
W
13
|
SW
9
|
S
14
|
E
13
|
SE
18
|
| 300m |
W
3
|
SW
8
|
SW
6
|
S
10
|
SE
9
|
E
9
|
| Glen |
SW
1
|
SW
6
|
SW
6
|
S
8
|
SE
9
|
SE
7
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 31 | 23 | 17 | 34 | 58 | 80 |
| 900m | 23 | 21 | 15 | 27 | 45 | 66 |
| 600m | 17 | 17 | 12 | 20 | 20 | 28 |
| 300m | 13 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 18 | 17 |
| Glen | 13 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 27 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-6°
|
-6°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
| 900m |
-3°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
4°
|
7°
|
8°
|
5°
|
4°
|
| Glen |
1°
|
5°
|
8°
|
8°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
300m
|
400m
|
500m
|
600m
|
600m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-16°
|
-14°
|
-10°
|
-11°
|
-16°
|
-17°
|
| 900m |
-10°
|
-9°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-10°
|
-11°
|
| 600m |
-6°
|
-5°
|
0°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
| 300m |
-1°
|
1°
|
5°
|
5°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| Glen |
0°
|
3°
|
6°
|
6°
|
3°
|
2°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Feeling cold at height in the wind chill but also the risk of sunburn in early afternoon brightness. Hazardous conditions developing in the evening with extensive hill fog and storm force winds at height.
Weather
Occasional bright and sunny spells and mainly dry by day. Cloud gradually thickening from the west from mid-afternoon to bring periods of light snow, below 400-500m rain, for the evening as storm force winds develop at height.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80% at dawn becoming 30% for the evening
Low cloud and visibility
Good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases occasionally lowering 600m for much of the day, before becoming more extensive for the evening.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Periods of occasionally heavy snow and rain at first, soon clearing to showers mid to late morning, which turn heavier and more frequent for the afternoon. Snow level around 600-700m. Southerly summit strong to gale winds, bringing a severe wind chill effect to many.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
20% becoming 75% from mid-morning
Maximum wind speed expected
South or southeast mean 30-40mph with gusts reaching 50-60mph across more exposed ridges and summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 2 to zero Celsius
- Glen Plus 4 Celsius increasing 10 Celsius for the afternoon
- Freezing level 600-800m
Low cloud and visibility
Good becoming moderate or poor in rain, very poor in snow and within cloud with bases extensive from 600m at first, but sporadically so in the showery airflow that becomes established by late morning.
Mountain weather information
Sun 12 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with showers, these heavier and more frequent in west. Snow level 700-800m. Winds strong to gale southerly.
Mon 13 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Showers, isolated becoming occasional for the afternoon, with snow level 700-800m. Fresh summit winds easing.
Tue 14 Apr
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mainly dry with bright and sunny spells. Summit winds freshening later. Freezing level 800-900m
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