Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
Low for northern extent of rain on Tuesday. High for mostly dry conditions from Wednesday onwards but low for extent and clearance of low cloud.
This evening forecast
Dry. Areas of low cloud spreading westwards across the Cairngorms through the evening down to 400 to 700 metres.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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
Occasional rain in the southwest of the area, otherwise dry and cloudy. Strong summit winds.
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
00% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 20% | 20% |
Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
SE
32
|
SE
32
|
SE
33
|
SE
35
|
SE
32
|
SE
30
|
SE
35
|
SE
30
|
| 900m |
SE
27
|
SE
24
|
SE
25
|
SE
26
|
SE
28
|
SE
29
|
SE
31
|
SE
25
|
| 600m |
SE
10
|
E
8
|
NE
8
|
SW
11
|
SE
17
|
SE
20
|
SE
19
|
SE
13
|
| 300m |
SE
3
|
E
4
|
E
3
|
SE
6
|
SE
7
|
E
6
|
E
7
|
SE
5
|
| Glen |
SE
2
|
E
2
|
SE
2
|
SE
5
|
SE
5
|
SE
5
|
E
5
|
SE
3
|
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m | 41 | 41 | 43 | 45 | 42 | 40 | 47 | 40 |
| 900m | 32 | 28 | 31 | 33 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 33 |
| 600m | 14 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 24 | 29 | 28 | 20 |
| 300m | 9 | 8 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 12 |
| Glen | 7 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 14 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
| 900m |
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
11°
|
11°
|
| 600m |
12°
|
12°
|
11°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| 300m |
14°
|
13°
|
13°
|
16°
|
17°
|
17°
|
16°
|
14°
|
| Glen |
14°
|
12°
|
14°
|
17°
|
18°
|
18°
|
18°
|
14°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,600m
|
2,500m
|
2,500m
|
2,500m
|
2,700m
|
2,800m
|
2,900m
|
2,800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
3°
|
2°
|
2°
|
| 900m |
6°
|
6°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
| 300m |
13°
|
12°
|
13°
|
15°
|
16°
|
16°
|
15°
|
13°
|
| Glen |
14°
|
12°
|
14°
|
16°
|
18°
|
17°
|
17°
|
14°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Note strong winds on the higher tops.
Weather
Patchy rain will affect the southwest of the area around Rannoch Moor and Ben Alder at times through the day. Otherwise a largely dry and cloudy day. Low confidence for northern extent of rain.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
60%, Monadhliath best favoured for cloud free tops
Low cloud and visibility
Poor in areas of cloud down to 500 to 800 metres across the more eastern Cairngorms and across the southwest of area. Otherwise only small amounts of summit cloud.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Low cloud will burn off through the morning to leave a dry and sunny afternoon. Low cloud developing across the eastern Cairngorms through the evening.
Chance of cloud-free hill tops
70%
Maximum wind speed expected
Easterly 15 mph
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 12 Celsius
- Glen Plus 10 rising 18 Celsius
- Freezing level Above summits
Low cloud and visibility
Poor in widespread low cloud down to 200 to 500 metres, this clearing by late morning. Little in the way of summit cloud in the afternoon with good visibility thereafter.
Mountain weather information
Thu 16 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Overnight low cloud clearing in the morning, then dry and sunny. Low cloud returning in the evening across the eastern Cairngorms.
Fri 17 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Misty start otherwise dry with sunny spells.
Sat 18 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Low cloud lifting and breaking in the morning to leave a bright afternoon with the odd shower.
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