Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for a mix of sunshine and showers through the coming week.
This evening forecast
Heavy afternoon showers soon dying out leaving some late sunny then clear spells. Strong southwesterly winds.
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.
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.
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.
Thunderstorms
Lightning is a significant mountain hazard which can result in serious injury or death. Mountain terrain often leaves one highly exposed to lightning strikes. Hail may give unpleasant conditions with torrential rain and localised flash flooding also possible, mainly in Summer months.
Mountain weather forecast
Sunny spells with occasionally heavy showers developing. Strong southwesterly 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) |
<05% | <05% | <05% | 10% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 10% |
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
|
S
28
|
S
39
|
SW
32
|
SW
30
|
SW
29
|
SW
24
|
SW
22
|
| 900m |
SW
26
|
S
25
|
S
37
|
SW
32
|
SW
28
|
SW
27
|
SW
22
|
SW
21
|
| 600m |
SW
15
|
S
15
|
SW
23
|
SW
23
|
SW
21
|
SW
19
|
SW
16
|
SW
15
|
| 300m |
S
8
|
S
8
|
SW
10
|
SW
14
|
SW
14
|
SW
12
|
SW
10
|
SW
8
|
| Glen |
SW
3
|
SW
3
|
SW
5
|
SW
7
|
SW
9
|
SW
8
|
SW
6
|
SW
5
|
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 | 40 | 37 | 51 | 43 | 42 | 40 | 33 | 29 |
| 900m | 32 | 32 | 47 | 42 | 38 | 37 | 29 | 28 |
| 600m | 23 | 23 | 33 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 25 | 23 |
| 300m | 21 | 21 | 25 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 23 | 19 |
| Glen | 17 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 19 | 17 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
2°
|
3°
|
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 900m |
5°
|
5°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
9°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| Glen |
8°
|
8°
|
10°
|
12°
|
15°
|
17°
|
14°
|
11°
|
| Freezing Level |
1,500m
|
1,600m
|
1,500m
|
1,700m
|
1,700m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
1,800m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-6°
|
-5°
|
-6°
|
-5°
|
-3°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 900m |
-1°
|
-1°
|
-1°
|
0°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
1°
|
| 600m |
4°
|
4°
|
3°
|
4°
|
5°
|
6°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
7°
|
6°
|
8°
|
8°
|
10°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| Glen |
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
9°
|
12°
|
13°
|
12°
|
10°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Mainly dry through the early hours with long clear spells. A bright start with some long spells of sunshine but cloud bubbling up through the morning with showers developing. The showers become occasionally heavy in the afternoon with a small risk of thunder. Becoming mainly dry again during the evening with some late sunshine.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Close to 100% at first but falling to 75% for a time from late morning to early afternoon as occasional cloud above 600m develops, this gradually lifting above the summits through the afternoon.
Visibility
Very good or excellent with good panoramic views of surrounding mountains and glens, falling briefly to several kilometres in showers
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Significant chill across Munros through much of the day.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Mainly dry with long clear spells through the early hours. Then another bright day with sunny spells and showers developing, the showers expected to be lighter and more scattered than recent days. Becoming largely dry through the evening.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
Close to 100% at first but falling to 75% for a time from late morning to early afternoon as occasional cloud above 600m develops, this gradually lifting above the summits through the afternoon.
Maximum wind speed expected
Southwesterly 25mph, gusts around 40mph over ridges and summits, decreasing 15-20mph by early afternoon.
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 7 Celsius rising to plus 10 Celsius.
- Glen Around plus 5 Celsius at dawn rising to plus 18 Celsius by day.
- Freezing level Above the summits.
Visibility
Very good, falling briefly to several kilometres in showers
Mountain weather information
Thursday 20 June
Sunrise:
Sunset:
A showery day with sunny spells and occasionally heavy and perhaps thundery showers. Occasionally fresh southwesterly winds.
Friday 21 June
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Another day of sunny spells and occasionally heavy, perhaps thundery, showers. Occasionally fresh southwesterly breeze.
Saturday 22 June
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Sunny spells and occasionally heavy showers. Mainly light winds.
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