Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a generally wet and windy weekend, but low for the extent of any drier spells. High for general forecast to start next week, but some uncertainty in timings of rain bands and wind strength.
This evening forecast
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers, falling as snow at munro level. These most frequent across western hills, the showers more isolated in the east. Eastern Cairngorms likely dry. Strong southwest winds with gales across the summits. Freezing level around 1000m.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
Heavy Persistent Rain
Heavy and persistent rain can lead to drenched clothing and footwear with waterproofs often becoming soaked through, especially if accompanied by strong winds. This can lead to significant loss of body heat and an increased likelihood of hypothermia. Terrain may turn increasingly boggy underfoot while streams can flood and become impassable. There may also be a risk of flooding in valleys or glens. If there is snow cover, a heightened avalanche hazard is possible and avalanche reports should be consulted where available.
Mountain weather forecast
Dry start, but rain spreading east. Severe gales increasing to storm force winds.
| 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) |
30% | 30% | 10% | <05% | 20% | 70% | 80% | 80% |
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 |
SW
45
|
SW
37
|
SW
41
|
S
47
|
S
60
|
SW
63
|
SW
67
|
SW
61
|
| 900m |
SW
44
|
SW
36
|
SW
41
|
S
47
|
S
61
|
SW
65
|
SW
66
|
SW
60
|
| 600m |
SW
28
|
SW
25
|
SW
25
|
SW
30
|
S
37
|
SW
43
|
SW
43
|
SW
40
|
| 300m |
SW
14
|
SW
13
|
SW
10
|
SW
16
|
SW
21
|
SW
23
|
SW
22
|
SW
21
|
| Glen |
SW
6
|
SW
5
|
SW
5
|
SW
6
|
SW
8
|
SW
7
|
SW
9
|
SW
7
|
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 | 58 | 48 | 53 | 61 | 78 | 82 | 88 | 80 |
| 900m | 53 | 44 | 49 | 57 | 74 | 80 | 82 | 74 |
| 600m | 37 | 33 | 35 | 40 | 51 | 58 | 58 | 54 |
| 300m | 32 | 29 | 27 | 37 | 47 | 51 | 51 | 47 |
| Glen | 27 | 24 | 25 | 29 | 35 | 37 | 42 | 36 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-2°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
| 600m |
3°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
| Glen |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,000m
|
900m
|
900m
|
1,000m
|
1,300m
|
2,000m
|
2,600m
|
2,600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-13°
|
-12°
|
-12°
|
-13°
|
-13°
|
-12°
|
-10°
|
-8°
|
| 900m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
| 600m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
| Glen |
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
7°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Severe gales increasing to storm force winds making standing very difficult with a high chance of serious injury. Gust reaching over 90 mph across the higher summits in the afternoon and evening making any mobility almost impossible.
Weather
A few showers, snow above 900-1000m, in the early hours, but dry by dawn. Then a dry morning, cloudy across western hills, sunny spells further east over the Cairngorms, but bitterly cold with severe gales across the summits. Outbreaks of rain, perhaps briefly preceded by summit snow, spread east from around midday, occasionally heavy over western hills, with winds strengthening to storm force across the tops. Persistent occasionally heavy rain continuing through the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40-60% in the morning, best in the east. 10% in the afternoon.
Low cloud and visibility
Frequent cloud above 900m across western hills, patchy cloud across eastern hills in the morning. Cloud turning persistent in the afternoon, lowering to 700-800m.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Rain clears south through the early hours. Then a mostly dry day with sunny spells across the northern Cairngorms and Monadhliath hills. Cloudier further west with a chance of rain at times, most likely in the afternoon. Rain likely across all ranges late evening. Strong to gale force summit winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30% in the west, 60% in the east
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 55 gusting 65 mph, easing to 45 gusting 55 mph for a few hours during the day.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 6 or 7 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 7 Celsius rising to 9 Celsius.
- Freezing level Well above the summits.
Low cloud and visibility
Poor visibility in the west with frequent cloud above 700m. Mostly good visibility in the east with occasional cloud above 900m. Visibility deteriorating across all ranges in rain late evening.
Mountain weather information
Mon 15 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Any heavy rain easing in the morning, turning dry with bright or sunny spells in the afternoon. Strong southwest winds easing slightly. Freezing level above the summits gradually dropping to 1000m.
Tue 16 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly dry with sunny spells, best across eastern hills Occasional low cloud in the west. Moderate to fresh southwest winds. Freezing level 800-900m.
Wed 17 Dec
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain, perhaps some summit snow, spreads east with south or southwest winds, a risk of summit gales. Drier later. Freezing level 800m rising above the summits for a time.
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