Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for unsettled weather through the period. Low confidence for extent of snow and strong winds on Friday.
This evening forecast
A few snow showers feed in to the west of the region through the evening. As showers pass through visibilities will rapidly and temporarily fall poor and cloud bases down to 500-700m. Staying dry with largely clear summits towards the sheltered northeast such as The Lecht, Ladder Hills and Ben Rinnes. Feeling bitterly cold with west to southwest winds 30-40mph, gusting 50mph at times.
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.
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, sunny east. Cloudier, some snow showers 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% | 40% | 40% | 30% | 20% | 10% | 60% | 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 |
W
38
|
W
36
|
W
32
|
SW
30
|
SW
34
|
S
35
|
S
43
|
S
43
|
| 900m |
W
30
|
W
30
|
SW
29
|
SW
27
|
SW
33
|
S
37
|
S
43
|
S
44
|
| 600m |
W
20
|
SW
19
|
SW
19
|
SW
16
|
SW
21
|
S
23
|
S
26
|
S
28
|
| 300m |
SW
7
|
SW
7
|
SW
9
|
SW
7
|
SW
11
|
S
12
|
S
12
|
S
14
|
| Glen |
SW
3
|
SW
3
|
SW
4
|
SW
4
|
SW
5
|
S
5
|
S
4
|
S
4
|
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 | 48 | 46 | 41 | 38 | 44 | 45 | 56 | 56 |
| 900m | 37 | 37 | 36 | 34 | 41 | 46 | 54 | 56 |
| 600m | 27 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 30 | 33 | 38 | 40 |
| 300m | 20 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 32 |
| Glen | 20 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-7°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
| 900m |
-4°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
1°
|
1°
|
| 300m |
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
1°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
3°
|
| Glen |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
1°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
| Freezing Level |
200m
|
300m
|
400m
|
600m
|
700m
|
700m
|
600m
|
600m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-18°
|
-17°
|
-15°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
-14°
|
-16°
|
-16°
|
| 900m |
-13°
|
-12°
|
-11°
|
-10°
|
-9°
|
-10°
|
-10°
|
-11°
|
| 600m |
-8°
|
-8°
|
-7°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-6°
|
| 300m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-4°
|
-2°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
| Glen |
-3°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Gusts of 40-50mph much of the day will give difficult walking conditions with a risk of being blown off balance, and note the strengthening winds later with a chance of 70mph winds or higher over the highest summits. Navigation could be challenging with energy output significantly increased when walking into the wind. In brighter areas of the east there may be glare off the snow pack. Keep up to date with the latest avalanche forecast from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS).
Weather
Clear and then bright or sunny spells throughout the day over the more sheltered east of the region over ranges such as The Lecht, Ladder Hills and Ben Rinnes. A few light snow showers feed into the west in the morning, largely dying out by the afternoon. Clouding over from the west in the evening with strengthening winds as a more organised band of snow spreads east.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50% west, 90% east. Falling widely 20% or less in evening.
Low cloud and visibility
As showers pass through visibilities will rapidly and temporarily fall poor and cloud bases down to 500-700m. Otherwise good visibilities and clear summits. Cloud becomes widespread from the west through the evening.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Cloudy with snow in the early morning. Snow showers will continue into the southwest, mainly west of the A9, before dying out in the evening. Bright or sunny spells developing in the sheltered northeast. Strong southwest winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
40% southwest, 90% northeast.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwest 25-35mph, perhaps gusting 50mph over the highest summits.
Temperature
- At 800m Minus 4C to minus 1C.
- Glen Zero rising to plus 6C.
- Freezing level 900m falling to 500m.
Low cloud and visibility
As showers pass through visibilities will rapidly and temporarily fall poor and cloud bases down to 500-700m. Otherwise good visibilities and clear summits.
Mountain weather information
Fri 16 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low confidence. Cloudy with a chance of some persistent snow and strong winds for a time, most likely in the east.
Sat 17 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright spells and variable cloud, chance of a few snow showers. Light winds.
Sun 18 Jan
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright spells and variable cloud, chance of a few snow showers. Moderate southerly winds.
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