Mountain weather
North Grampian Mountain weather forecast table
Confidence
High for showery weather to continue for the next few days.
This evening forecast
Chance of showers, strong southwesterly winds at height.
Mountain weather hazards
Hazards apply at or above 300m, reflecting the more severe conditions which can occur at altitude.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Wiindy with showers, longer spells of wet weather in the west.
| 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% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 40% | 30% | 30% | 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 |
S
40
|
S
36
|
S
34
|
SW
34
|
SW
33
|
W
36
|
W
33
|
W
29
|
| 900m |
S
35
|
S
33
|
S
31
|
SW
29
|
SW
27
|
W
29
|
W
26
|
W
23
|
| 600m |
S
21
|
S
20
|
S
18
|
SW
18
|
SW
18
|
SW
19
|
W
17
|
SW
14
|
| 300m |
S
11
|
S
12
|
S
9
|
SW
11
|
SW
13
|
SW
13
|
SW
10
|
SW
9
|
| Glen |
S
4
|
S
5
|
S
5
|
SW
7
|
SW
8
|
SW
9
|
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 | 52 | 47 | 45 | 46 | 44 | 48 | 44 | 38 |
| 900m | 47 | 44 | 40 | 40 | 39 | 41 | 38 | 31 |
| 600m | 37 | 35 | 31 | 33 | 34 | 36 | 31 | 26 |
| 300m | 30 | 30 | 24 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 27 | 23 |
| Glen | 21 | 22 | 18 | 24 | 25 | 29 | 21 | 19 |
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
4°
|
5°
|
5°
|
4°
|
3°
|
| 900m |
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
7°
|
8°
|
8°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 600m |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| 300m |
11°
|
11°
|
11°
|
12°
|
13°
|
13°
|
12°
|
11°
|
| Glen |
12°
|
11°
|
11°
|
13°
|
15°
|
15°
|
14°
|
12°
|
| Freezing Level |
2,100m
|
2,100m
|
1,900m
|
1,900m
|
1,900m
|
2,000m
|
1,900m
|
1,900m
|
Altitude above mean sea level
| 00:00 | 03:00 | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1300m |
-4°
|
-4°
|
-3°
|
-3°
|
-1°
|
-2°
|
-2°
|
-3°
|
| 900m |
1°
|
1°
|
2°
|
2°
|
4°
|
3°
|
3°
|
2°
|
| 600m |
6°
|
6°
|
6°
|
7°
|
8°
|
7°
|
7°
|
6°
|
| 300m |
9°
|
9°
|
9°
|
10°
|
11°
|
10°
|
10°
|
9°
|
| Glen |
10°
|
9°
|
9°
|
11°
|
13°
|
12°
|
12°
|
10°
|
Additional weather information
Weather
Some bright or sunny periods, although low cloud may develop for a time in the morning across the south of the area. Showers will pass through during the day, perhaps briefly heavy with a risk of lightning. Some longer periods of rain may develop across Creag Meagaidh and the Monadhliath at times.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
70%, some cloud between 600 and 800 metres at times across southern ranges, and later across the west. Best of the cloud free tops east of Aviemore. Otherwise cloud mainly at 850 metres or above.
Visibility
Very good with great air clarity outside of cloud and showers.
Met Office Aberdeen meteorologist's view
Slow progress can be expected at height in the strong winds especially in the morning, feeling cold as showers pass overhead.
Mountain weather information
Weather
Some early low cloud, otherwise bright with the chance of a few showers. Some reasonable spells of dry weather can be expected too.
Chance of cloud-free mountain/hill tops at 800m
70%, some cloud around 600 metres in the west at times.
Maximum wind speed expected
Westerly 35 gust 50 mph
Temperature
- At 800m Plus 8 Celsius
- Glen Plus 10 rising to 16 Celsius
- Freezing level Above summits
Visibility
Very good with great air clarity outside of cloud and showers.
Mountain weather information
Tuesday 20 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Bright with the chance of showers, less windy than of late.
Wednesday 21 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Mostly cloudy with the chance of some showers, some reasonable spells of dry weather expected too.
Thursday 22 August
Sunrise:
Sunset:
Rather cloudy with the chance of some rain for a time. Windy.
Updated at:
Summit specific forecast
Mountain summit forecast map
Key
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