Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High confidence for a mainly dry few days and for cooler conditions to develop next week. Also high confidence for a change to more unsettled conditions later Wednesday, but then less confidence for timings and coverage of heavier rain.
This evening forecast
Mostly cloudy with patchy rain spreading eastwards, though some heavier and more persistent rain at first over Creag Meagaidh and across Speyside.
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.
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
Mostly dry and bright with sunny spells developing and becoming warm.
| 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% | <05% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% | 00% |
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 |
S
20
|
S
25
|
S
27
|
S
28
|
S
26
|
S
30
|
S
32
|
S
32
|
| 900m |
S
15
|
S
20
|
S
22
|
S
24
|
S
26
|
S
29
|
S
29
|
S
28
|
| 600m |
W
6
|
SW
12
|
SW
14
|
SW
15
|
S
18
|
S
21
|
S
19
|
S
19
|
| 300m |
W
2
|
SW
4
|
SW
5
|
SW
6
|
SW
12
|
SW
14
|
SW
10
|
S
10
|
| Glen |
SW
2
|
SW
4
|
SW
4
|
SW
5
|
SW
9
|
SW
11
|
S
8
|
S
6
|
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 | 27 | 33 | 36 | 38 | 38 | 44 | 45 | 45 |
| 900m | 20 | 27 | 29 | 32 | 38 | 43 | 41 | 39 |
| 600m | 11 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 32 | 37 | 34 | 34 |
| 300m | 6 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 27 | 33 | 25 | 24 |
| Glen | 8 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 25 | 30 | 23 | 20 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
5°
|
| 900m |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| 600m |
10°
|
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
11°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
10°
|
11°
|
13°
|
17°
|
17°
|
15°
|
13°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
14°
|
19°
|
19°
|
17°
|
14°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,500m
|
2,500m
|
2,500m
|
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
2,400m
|
2,500m
|
2,400m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
1°
|
0°
|
0°
|
0°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
-2°
|
| 900m |
6°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
9°
|
11°
|
10°
|
9°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
13°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
11°
|
| Glen |
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
13°
|
16°
|
16°
|
15°
|
13°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Low cloud and a little rain in the early hours, but clearing away overnight then dry but still rather cloudy into the morning. Becoming brighter with some spells of sunshine by the afternoon. Dry with clear spells in the evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
30 to 60% overnight with low cloud, mainly across northern ranges, but largely clearing by dawn, then 80% or better, with only patchy cloud at summit level, though some cloud down to 500m may be slow to clear through the morning.
Visibility
Perhaps poor overnight, then mostly good, but rather hazy with distant hills indistinct, though air clarity improving in the afternoon.
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Warm at all levels, very warm in the Glens and over lower slopes with light winds at lower altitudes, but winds strengthening over the higher slopes
Mountain weather information
Weather
Dry and sunny and still warm in the Glens, but cooler at altitude, with stronger winds. Cloudier in the evening but most cloud above the summits
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
90% with only patchy cloud and this mostly above summits
Maximum wind speed expected
South to southwest 35 to 40 gust 55mph gradually turning southeast and easing a touch, 30 to 35 gust 45 mph by the end of the afternoon, but increasing over higher slopes, later, possibly 40 to 45 gusts 55mph over the Cairngorm Plateau
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 7 rising to plus 10 Celsius.
- Glen Plus 8 rising to plus 18 Celsius
- Freezing level Mostly above the summits, but falling closed to summit level later in the day
Visibility
Generally very good, though hazier late in the day.
Mountain weather information
Tuesday 23 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry and bright, with hazy sunshine, though a good deal of high cloud and cloud tending to develop at summit levels, especially late in the day. Still quite warm in Glens though a little cooler than last few days. Strong southeast winds, but gale force across the Cairngorm plateau. Freezing level falling to 1200m
Wednesday 24 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Dry and bright but cloudier and cloud will thicken later in the day to bring heavy outbreaks of rain late evening, with possibly thunder too. Southeast winds increasing with gales perhaps severe gales over the higher summits and plateaus. Freezing level steadily rising.
Thursday 25 April
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Heavy rain clearing overnight with winds turning more southerly and easing to strong. Then some bright or sunny spells but scattered heavy and possibly thundery showers developing and these could be wintry on the higher slopes with freezing levels falling down to summit level
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast map
Summit specific forecasts for North GrampianIncludes the North and West Cairngorms National Park, Monadhliath, Ben Alder, Creag Meagaidh, Loch Ericht and Loch Rannoch.
The North Grampian region includes a large part of the Cairngorm National Park and the Balmoral Estate, the Scottish home of the Royal family since 1852. Five of the UK's six highest mountains lie inside Cairngorm National park, and there are 55 Munros (mountains over 3,000 ft). You will also find three of Scotland’s five ski centres including the Glenshee Ski Centre, the largest in the UK. The centre extends across four mountains, Glas Maol the largest at 1,068 metres and Carn Aosda the smallest at 917 metres, and includes 36 different ski runs.
Most people agree that Creag Meagaidh in Glen Spean is where the east highlands meet the west highlands. It is also this location which provides one of the area's most popular activities - ice climbing. This is thanks to its vast plateau from which five Munros (that seem almost made for climbing) stretch out. Seeing as plenty is on offer for visitors and it is crammed in a relatively small area, it should come as no surprise that the Creag Meagaidh area has been praised as offering all that is good about the Highlands in a single nature reserve.
For snow and avalanche hazard forecasts please visit Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service