Mountain weather

North Grampian

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North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table

Confidence

High for very wet weather through Tuesday and for large amounts of cloud until Thursday. Low for details by next weekend.

This evening forecast

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Moderate to fresh westerly winds at height and a few scattered showers. Clear breaks across the Cairngorms but rather cloudier west of the A9 with some hill fog here.

Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mountain hazards

Mountain weather hazards

Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.

hazard 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.
hazard 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.
hazard 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.

hazard 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.
Mountain hazards explained

Mountain weather forecast

A windy and very wet day in the hills. Poor visibility also hampering progress.

Wind direction and speed (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level
Wind gust (mph)
Altitude above mean sea level

Altitude above mean sea level

Altitude above mean sea level

Additional weather information

Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view

High chance of getting soaked in the heavy rain. Poor visibility and strong winds will make navigation challenging. 300m mean wind speeds closer to 20-25mph and winds peaking near 75-80mph across the Cairngorm Plateau through afternoon.

Weather

Mainly dry through the early hours but with thickening and lowering cloud. Conditions quickly deteriorating through morning as rain sets in across all areas and winds strengthen, markedly across highest ground. Rain heaviest and most persistent in the west with paths increasingly sodden by the end of the day. A dull and damp evening will follow.

Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m

Generally no chance as cloud steadily lowers to 600-800m but 10% chance later in the afternoon across the northern foothills of the Monadliath Mountains.

Visibility

Widely limited to neighbouring slopes at low to mid levels and down to a few hundred meters towards summits.

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Mountain weather information

Weather

Altogether a drier day to Tuesday but cloud will remain extensive across all areas, bringing outbreaks of light rain or drizzle for much of the day, but drier conditions in the east. Chance of a heavier spell of rain through evening.

Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m

Southwest winds bringing lower cloud compared to Tuesday with bases widely 400-600m in west, 500-700 in east. An improvement likely through afternoon but to an uncertain extent. Summits likely still affected by areas of fog.

Maximum wind speed expected

Southwest 20-30 gusting 35-40mph. Easing 10-20mph through evening. Gusts of 40-50mph expected on highest summits.

Temperature

  • At 800m 9-11C.
  • Glen 12-14C rising 18-20C.
  • Freezing level Well above summits.

Visibility

A day of poor visibility across the hills under thick cloud and spells of drizzle. Fog conditions persistent, especially in the west.

Mountain weather information

Thursday 6 August

Sunrise:
Sunset:

A cloudy, dull start likely giving way to a predominantly southerly breeze, this bringing bright or sunny conditions for all parts. Chance of the odd afternoon shower. Turning warm.

Friday 7 August

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Plenty of dry/bright weather initially but increasing chance of rain later in the day. Moderate southwest winds.

Saturday 8 August

Sunrise:
Sunset:

Low confidence at this stage, but most likely dry and fine with a light westerly breeze.

Updated at:
Mountain weather explained

Includes 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

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