Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a mainly dry weekend then more changeable, but low for all details
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.
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.
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
Dry with sunny spells. Strong to gale summit winds making it feel very cold.
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
<05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% | <05% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
SW
41
|
S
43
|
S
36
|
S
32
|
S
30
|
S
29
|
| 900m |
SW
42
|
S
46
|
S
39
|
S
35
|
S
30
|
S
25
|
| 600m |
SW
21
|
SW
26
|
SW
24
|
S
21
|
S
17
|
SW
12
|
| 300m |
SW
5
|
SW
9
|
SW
12
|
SW
11
|
S
8
|
SW
5
|
| Glen |
SW
5
|
SW
9
|
SW
13
|
SW
11
|
S
5
|
SW
5
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 52 | 55 | 47 | 41 | 39 | 37 |
| 900m | 50 | 54 | 47 | 43 | 38 | 33 |
| 600m | 31 | 37 | 34 | 31 | 28 | 21 |
| 300m | 20 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 21 | 14 |
| Glen | 27 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 22 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
0°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| 900m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 600m |
5°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
2°
|
6°
|
9°
|
9°
|
6°
|
4°
|
| Glen |
4°
|
6°
|
9°
|
10°
|
7°
|
5°
|
| Freezing Level |
900m
|
1,000m
|
1,100m
|
1,100m
|
1,000m
|
900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
| 900m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
3°
|
6°
|
6°
|
4°
|
2°
|
| Glen |
1°
|
3°
|
6°
|
7°
|
5°
|
3°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
In general a fine day, though very low feels like temperatures on the summits indicate a strong wind chill. Strong sunshine bringing glare from snow cover and UV levels now rising bringing a sunburn risk.
Weather
Staying dry throughout, with clear or sunny periods.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
More than 90%
Low cloud and visibility
Little in the way of low cloud, with what cloud there is being above the summits. Visibility will be very good
Mountain weather information
Weather
Likely to be a mainly dry day, but more cloud than Saturday. Lower cloud likely to arrive later in the day bringing some patchy rain but timing of this change is very uncertain - ranging from mid afternoon to mid evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
80% falling 20%.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southerly 35 gusts 50mph.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 1 rising to Plus 4 Celsius later in day
- Glen Plus 2 rising to Plus 11 Celsius
- Freezing level 800m rising above summits later in the day, with uncertain timing
Low cloud and visibility
At first patchy cloud above 1000m becoming more widespread later in the day and lowering 750m, and falling to 500m over southern exposures later in the evening.
Mountain weather information
Mon 9 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with some hill fog and some rain at times, though some good dry spells. Freezing levels above summits with fresh southwesterly winds.
Tue 10 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with outbreaks of rain, preceded by snow above 1000m, the rain becoming heavier and more persistent in the south and west later with hill fog and south to southwesterly gales.
Wed 11 Mar
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Likely to be a showery day with southwesterly gales, freezing levels falling to 1000m.
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