Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for stormy weather later on Friday and on Saturday. High for a drier and less windy day on Sunday. High for a return to changeable weather on Monday.
This evening forecast
Very windy with rain spreading northeast. Summit southerly severe gales or storm force winds. Winds will reach up to 90 mph across the Cairngorm Plateau.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Mainly dry morning, wet and windy weather spreading northeast through the afternoon and evening
| 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) |
20% | 20% | 00% | 20% | 80% | >95% | 30% | 60% |
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 |
S
32
|
SW
35
|
W
27
|
SW
22
|
S
34
|
SE
54
|
S
60
|
SW
64
|
| 900m |
S
35
|
SW
34
|
SW
25
|
SW
21
|
S
37
|
SE
56
|
S
60
|
SW
61
|
| 600m |
S
25
|
SW
24
|
SW
17
|
SW
14
|
S
24
|
SE
36
|
S
42
|
SW
42
|
| 300m |
S
11
|
SW
13
|
SW
9
|
SW
7
|
S
10
|
S
15
|
S
25
|
SW
26
|
| Glen |
SW
3
|
SW
4
|
SW
4
|
SW
4
|
S
6
|
SW
5
|
S
6
|
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 | 42 | 46 | 35 | 28 | 44 | 72 | 82 | 89 |
| 900m | 43 | 41 | 31 | 26 | 46 | 71 | 79 | 80 |
| 600m | 34 | 32 | 24 | 19 | 35 | 51 | 60 | 60 |
| 300m | 27 | 28 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 35 | 55 | 55 |
| Glen | 18 | 21 | 16 | 13 | 20 | 21 | 37 | 42 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
6°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
5°
|
3°
|
| 900m |
10°
|
7°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
12°
|
10°
|
8°
|
9°
|
9°
|
8°
|
11°
|
8°
|
| 300m |
13°
|
11°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
10°
|
12°
|
10°
|
| Glen |
13°
|
11°
|
10°
|
11°
|
13°
|
11°
|
13°
|
11°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,700m
|
2,200m
|
2,000m
|
1,900m
|
1,700m
|
2,500m
|
3,100m
|
2,000m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| Time | 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-1°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-4°
|
-7°
|
| 900m |
5°
|
2°
|
1°
|
2°
|
1°
|
-1°
|
1°
|
-2°
|
| 600m |
8°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
5°
|
3°
|
5°
|
2°
|
| 300m |
11°
|
9°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
7°
|
8°
|
6°
|
| Glen |
12°
|
10°
|
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
9°
|
10°
|
8°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Dangerous conditions developing at height through the afternoon with a risk of being blown off ridges and summits. Wind speeds may approach 120 mph across the Cairngorm Plateau by the end of the day. Heavy rain will lead to drenching conditions in afternoon rain and a notable chilling effect.
Weather
Mainly dry in the morning, just a few light showers. Widespread rain, briefly heavy, will spread northeast in the afternoon before turning showery by evening. Winds strengthening through the afternoon with widespread upland gales setting in, and reach storm force in the evening on the higher tops.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
30%, best chance across the northeast of the area in the morning
Low cloud and visibility
Poor in areas of cloud down to 750 metres in the morning, this becoming more widespread in the afternoon. Hill fog breaking across the northeast in the evening.
Mountain weather information
Weather
A fair amount of cloud through the day with frequent heavy showers and some longer spells of rain. Drier conditions developing from mid-afternoon onwards. Sleet and snow can be expected above 1000 metres. Very windy widespread upland gales and storm force summit winds.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
50%, best chance in the afternoon
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly winds average speeds of 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph, 10 mph or stronger on the higher tops. Winds will gust 100 mph or more at first across the Cairngorm Plateau
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 5 Celsius
- Glen Plus 7 rising to 11 Celsius
- Freezing level 1800 falling to 1200 metres
Low cloud and visibility
Very good visibility outside of cloud and precipitation. Otherwise areas of cloud down to 750 metres in the morning, bases tending to rise to 900 metres or higher in the afternoon.
Mountain weather information
Sun 5 Oct
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with a little rain across the west during the afternoon, mainly dry in the east. Strong westerly summit winds.
Mon 6 Oct
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rain expected to set in west of the A9, but drier conditions east of this.
Tue 7 Oct
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Cloudy with occasional rain, this may become more widespread later in the day.
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