Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High
This evening forecast
Cloud gradually thickening and lowering, some patchy rain and mist later.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
Mountain weather forecast
Bright with sunny spells
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weather (at 800m) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chance of precipitation (at 800m) |
60% | 40% | 20% | 10% | <05% | 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 |
SW
30
|
W
23
|
W
24
|
W
20
|
W
19
|
W
18
|
W
16
|
W
13
|
| 900m |
SW
25
|
SW
20
|
SW
22
|
W
18
|
W
17
|
W
17
|
W
15
|
W
11
|
| 600m |
SW
16
|
SW
13
|
SW
17
|
W
15
|
W
14
|
W
14
|
W
12
|
W
8
|
| 300m |
SW
8
|
SW
7
|
SW
10
|
W
11
|
W
11
|
W
11
|
W
9
|
W
6
|
| Glen |
SW
4
|
W
3
|
SW
3
|
W
6
|
W
7
|
W
7
|
W
6
|
W
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 | 39 | 32 | 33 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 18 |
| 900m | 32 | 26 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 15 |
| 600m | 22 | 18 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 12 |
| 300m | 19 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 13 |
| Glen | 19 | 19 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 12 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
4°
|
3°
|
1°
|
2°
|
5°
|
6°
|
4°
|
1°
|
| 900m |
7°
|
5°
|
4°
|
5°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
4°
|
| 600m |
9°
|
7°
|
6°
|
8°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
7°
|
| 300m |
11°
|
9°
|
9°
|
12°
|
14°
|
15°
|
13°
|
9°
|
| Glen |
10°
|
8°
|
8°
|
14°
|
17°
|
17°
|
15°
|
9°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,100m
|
1,300m
|
1,200m
|
1,400m
|
1,500m
|
1,500m
|
1,400m
|
1,300m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-2°
|
-4°
|
-6°
|
-3°
|
0°
|
1°
|
0°
|
-4°
|
| 900m |
2°
|
0°
|
-2°
|
1°
|
4°
|
5°
|
4°
|
0°
|
| 600m |
5°
|
4°
|
2°
|
5°
|
8°
|
9°
|
8°
|
5°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
7°
|
6°
|
10°
|
12°
|
13°
|
11°
|
8°
|
| Glen |
10°
|
8°
|
7°
|
11°
|
14°
|
14°
|
13°
|
9°
|
Additional weather information
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Nothing further to add.
Weather
Any low cloud, patchy rain and mist clearing around dawn. Otherwise bright with sunny spells
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
90%, occasional or patches possible around the summits, otherwise no significant cloud during daylight hours.
Visibility
Mostly very good, perhaps moderate or poor around dawn.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Dry and bright with sunny spells.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
90%, a few patches around the summits, mainly early and late in the day, otherwise no significant cloud expected.
Maximum wind speed expected
West or Southwest 5 to 15mph
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 5 to 10 Celsius
- Glen Plus 8 Celsius rising to 18 Celsius
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Visibility
Good or very good
Mountain weather information
Thursday 28 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright and mainly dry, although the odd shower possible. Light or moderate south or southwest winds at height.
Friday 29 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright with some warm or very warm sunshine. Moderate or fresh south or southeast winds over the summits.
Saturday 30 May
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright with some warm or very sunshine. The chance of heavy, perhaps thundery, showers developing. Moderate or fresh southeasterly winds over the tops.
Updated at:
Mountain summits
Other points of interest
Cluster of multiple stations
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